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Embattled representative fires back at allegations, asks to face his accusers

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PHOENIX – State Rep. Daniel Patterson fired back Tuesday at an ethics investigation report that recommends his expulsion, delivering a detailed written rebuttal and asking for the chance to face his accusers.

“Absolutely nothing I’ve done has violated House rules or violated the law or would be something that I should resign or be removed for,” he said at a news conference after giving his response to the House Ethics Committee.

A report by a House special counsel said, among other allegations, that Patterson has intimidated colleagues and legislative staff members, sought personal favors in exchange for votes and told members that he smoked marijuana.

House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, D–Phoenix, has sought Patterson’s immediate ouster, the Tucson independent’s behavior poses a threat to other legislators and staff.

Patterson said he’s not a threat, adding that he has never harmed anyone or brought a weapon to the Capitol and never will.

“No one should play political games with security issues at the Capitol the way that Chad Campbell’s been doing,” he said.

The House Ethics Committee convened Tuesday to note receiving Patterson’s response but recessed until Wednesday without taking action. It could recommend that he be expelled.

Rep. Ted Vogt, the committee’s chairman, noted that he hadn’t finished reading Patterson’s response, which is 19 pages including attachments.

The committee is investigating an ethics complaint filed by Rep. Katie Hobbs, D–Phoenix, stemming from allegations that Patterson assaulted his former girlfriend. The complaint also mentions a restraining order Patterson’s ex–wife sought against him.

Patterson’s response said that Hobbs’ complaint violated House rules because it doesn’t stem from her own knowledge. It called allegations in the special counsel’s report “unsubstantiated” and based in large part on sources who weren’t identified by name.

“A lot of what’s in the report … is anonymous, it’s rumor, it’s innuendo, and people were not under oath,” he said at the news conference.

Patterson said he deserves due process, including the right to question his accusers.

Though he denied ever violating House rules, Patterson said there have been occasions when he should have behaved differently.

“There certainly have been times where I’ve had a temper, and I’m working to deal with that,” he said.

Patterson denied claims that he told legislators he smoked marijuana, but at the news conference he didn’t deny smoking marijuana, saying it doesn’t affect his conduct at the House and that he has never smoked before work.

“If I occasionally may use cannabis like probably millions of people in this state, that would be my own personal business,” he said.

Rep. John Fillmore, R–Apache Junction, attended the news conference, saying that Patterson has the right to a hearing and that the public shouldn’t rush to judgment.

“In our country it is not illegal to be abrasive,” he said.

The Rev. Jarrett Maupin, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Phoenix, suggested at the news conference that Patterson hasn’t received a hearing because he is white and, as such, isn’t in a “protected class.”

“If Representative Patterson was black, he would have his Ethics Committee hearing,” said Maupin, who is black.

While Patterson said he doesn’t necessarily agree with Maupin’s claim of racial discrimination, he said he deserves to be heard.

“I do think that I’ve shown some dedication to public service, and I don’t think that political–based allegations here at the House, which could harm my reputation for a long time to come, should be allowed to go without a clear response,” he said.