PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona House of Representatives has hired a Phoenix law firm to investigate ethics complaints against Republican Rep. David Cook, House leaders announced on Wednesday.
The investigation will be led by attorney Mark Kokanovich of the firm Ballard Spahr.
Cook is accused of carrying out an extramarital affair that with an agricultural lobbyist and supporting legislation that she favored. He’s denied crossing ethical boundaries. Cook is also accused of arranging a favor for the lobbyist’s family from Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. The sheriff has denied the allegation.
Kokanovich and his firm investigated ethics complaints last year against former Republican Rep. David Stringer. The uncovered a 1983 police report showing Stringer was arrested for paying boys for sex, which prompted Stringer to resign.
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