Thread by @JustinWingerter

John Hickenlooper is not at the Ethics Commission hearing into his alleged violations of the Colorado gift ban.

A leading U.S. Senate candidate seems to be openly defying both a subpoena and a judge's order. Remarkable. #cosen #copolitics

On the other hand, this meeting is a massive technical mess, which speaks directly to what Hickenlooper and his attorneys have been saying, that WebEx is no way to conduct a hearing into a serious matter. #copolitics #cosen

Colorado's Independent Ethics Commission is in executive session as it talks with its attorney from the AG's Office.

A Hickenlooper attorney is at the meeting now. There wasn't one when it began.

The meeting remains a technical mess. #cosen #copolitics

https://twitter.com/AndyKnny/status/1268565878653677568?s=20

The Ethics Commission has returned from executive session after about 40 minutes. They ask Hickenlooper's attorney, Mark Grueskin, if his client will be appearing.

"He is not in attendance today," Grueskin says. #cosen #copolitics

Suzanne Staiert, with the Public Trust Institute, which filed the ethics complaint, says the commission should enforce the subpoena. "I do not want to move forward without him (Hickenlooper)."

The commission is now voting to enforce its subpoena against Hickenlooper. #cosen

Commissioner Bill Leone on Hickenlooper: "I believe our subpoena was very clear...he currently is in contempt of that subpoena."

Leone asks Grueskin if he, Grueskin, will take part in the hearing. The attorney says he will. #cosen #copolitics

NEW: Colorado's Independent Ethics Commission votes 5-0 to have the Attorney General's Office enforce its subpoena of U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper. #cosen #copolitics

Whoa. The chair of Colorado's Independent Ethics Commission: "The Attorney General's Office says it has a team on its way to enforce the subpoena" against Hickenlooper.

She also says she's willing to find Hickenlooper in contempt of their subpoena. #cosen #copolitics

As the AG's Office enforces a subpoena against Hickenlooper — I'm still trying to determine what that means — the ethics commission is moving on with its hearing.

Suzanne Staiert with PTI, the complainant, says Hickenlooper displayed "a pattern of disregard to the law." #cosen

State Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, is the first witness in the ethics hearing of John Hickenlooper. He was on a USS Colorado commissioning trip in 2018. Hick flew there for free on an MDC Holdings company plane.

Predictably, audio problems disrupt his testimony. #cosen

Robert Jaros, Colorado's controller, is testifying in Hickenlooper's ethics hearing. Not sure what PTI, the complainant, proved in his bland testimony.

Hickenlooper's attorney is having Jaros talk about the importance of saving tax dollars. (Hick did by taking private flights).

“At this time, we call John Hickenlooper," says Staiert, attorney for the complainant.

“Governor Hickenlooper is not in attendance," his attorney says

Committee chair: "Your client is refusing to appear subject to our subpoena, is that correct?"

Grueskin: “He is not appearing"

The commission chair calls Hickenlooper's refusal to appear “a little bit contemptible."

She asks Staiert to present a case that Hickenlooper be held in contempt. Staiert says all of Hickenlooper's defenses should by stricken.

Grueskin asks for a recess to consider this. #cosen

The chair of the ethics commission wants to hold Hickenlooper in contempt. Hickenlooper's attorney asks for time to contact Hickenlooper

Chair: “I’m a little disinclined to give you the opportunity to reach him when he’s had the opportunity to be here all day” #cosen #copolitics

Colorado's Independent Ethics Commission is clearly frustrated with John Hickenlooper's decision to ignore their lawfully-issued subpoena. They are now considering whether to hold him in contempt and, if so, how to punish him. #cosen #copolitics

The ethics commission takes its first step to punish John Hickenlooper, by admitting all exhibits from PTI, including evidence Hickenlooper's attorney did not stipulate to. #cosen

NEW: John Hickenlooper's attorney, Mark Grueskin, says his client WILL comply with the subpoena now.

But he can't do so today, Grueskin says. Grueskin suggests June 16. #cosen #copolitics

Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa, chair of Colorado's Independent Ethics Commission, is unimpressed: "The subpoena was for today. I’m disinclined…to allow him to appear on the 16th.”

She suggests Hickenlooper testify tomorrow. The commission still has a motion to hold him in contempt.

Commissioner Leone on Hickenlooper: "I don't think it's sufficient to say, 'Sorry, I'll come on June 16 and there should be no consequences for my failure to come today.'

He says Hickenlooper has "shown disrespect for the rule of law." #cosen #copolitics

Ethics commissioners are livid at John Hickenlooper's suggestion he testify June 16. Not one has stated support, several have said they have no trust in Hickenlooper, and they say they are insulted by his June 16 offer. #cosen #copolitics

JUST IN: In a stunning rebuke, Colorado's Independent Ethics Commission has unanimously found U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper in contempt for his failure to comply with a subpoena.

The commission will meet tomorrow to continue hearing the case. #cosen #copolitics

A Colorado ethics commissioner: “By failing to honor the subpoena...(Hickenlooper) has indicated a disrespect for the rule of law, disrespect for the commission, disrespect for the process, disrespect for the parties and the witnesses." #cosen #copolitics denverpost.com/2020/06/04/joh…