SAINT PAUL, MINN. – Today, a panel of House Republican lawmakers acting as an illegitimately appointed House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee attempted to hire three lawyers from the CrossCastle law firm to represent Rep. Lisa Demuth in pending litigation regarding the organization of the House. Rep. Harry Niska is a partner of the firm, and the action creates a significant conflict of interest.
House DFL Floor Leader Jamie Long blasted the move.
“Minnesotans should be outraged that Rep. Niska is using an illegitimate power grab to enrich himself with taxpayer dollars,” Rep. Long said. “It’s bad enough that Republicans are threatening to unseat a duly elected representative and have conducted an unlawful, sham organization of the House. The House GOP should immediately stop any taxpayer dollars going to pay for private counsel to defend their illegal conduct, let alone taxpayer dollars to pad the pockets of Rep. Niska.”
In an apparent effort to create distance from the action, Rep. Niska appointed an acting chair to preside over the meeting and stated he was “not participating” in the resolution.
“Rep. Niska was the one who called the meeting and brought the proposal. It’s no secret who’s responsible for making these decisions among the GOP and who stands to benefit financially,” Rep. Long added. “The outcry from Republicans and the press if Democrats did this would be deafening.”
The House DFL is paying for legal representation in their petition to the Supreme Court with campaign funds, not taxpayer dollars.