McKinney Calls on Donovan to Step Aside as Speaker

State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-Fairfield): “The facts and allegations in the affidavit are a grave violation of the public trust and cast a pall on all of the legislative activities Speaker Donovan has participated in since announcing his run for Congress.

“First and foremost, the Speaker owes the people of Connecticut a thorough explanation. He must publicly answer any and all questions pertaining to this matter.

“In light of this damning evidence of corruption, he should immediately relinquish his role as Speaker of the House and have no involvement with drafting or negotiating any legislative language in preparation for the General Assembly’s June 12th Special Session.

“Sadly, this is just the latest in a litany of examples of high profile state officials finding themselves embroiled in allegations of corruption. As we have done in the past, the legislature should convene a committee of inquiry to further investigate this matter and decide if the evidence of corruption warrants the Speaker’s censure or expulsion from the House of Representatives.

“Finally, the Connecticut General Assembly needs to establish a standing committee on ethics as I have recommended since being elected Leader in 2007. Connecticut has a reprehensible reputation for misconduct among its elected leaders and yet is one of only two states that do not have a standing committee on ethics to investigate allegations of misconduct and determine appropriate sanctions.”