On February 17, a three-member Advisory Panel consisting of three members of the City Ethics Review Commission unanimously cleared Rep. Brian Kennedy of any wrongdoing.
The Panel consists of Arnulfo Hernandez, Richarda Momsen, and Mark Walker and its findings were made public about one hour ago.
You will recall that Dora Oaxaca, wife of City Rep. Henry Rivera, leveled complaints against Kennedy for a series of perceived infractions, including attending an executive session just before the January 3 vote to abandon building an arena in Duranguito. She proceeded with her complaints even though Kennedy had voluntarily recused himself from the vote out of an abundance of caution.
Oaxaca went on a rampage against Kennedy during the Ethics Review Commission hearing on February 1, trying her best to portray him as a sleezy and dishonest politician who broke the law.
On February 17, the Advisory Panel concluded that “there is nothing in Mr. Kennedy’s previous employment, consulting, and financial history that would require his recusal under Article II standards of conduct in regards to the MPC.”
Moreover, they concluded that there is “no evidence from Mr. Kennedy’s previous employment, consulting, and financial history that would preclude Mr. Kennedy from voting on items relating to ASM Global” (Destination El Paso).
So it turns out that Dora Oaxaca, who was backed by El Paso Matters, was completely wrong about Rep. Kennedy, who did not violate any rules and could even have voted on January 3 to abandon building a MPC in Duranguito.
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