A deliciously ironic tweet from Rep. Kevin McGee (R - Brandon)

Upon the news of his resignation, a reader brought the following tweet from Rep. Kevin McGee to my attention:

It's ironic, of course, because Rep. Kevin McGee was hit with an order by the Ethics Commission to repay nearly half a million dollars in state funds that he got...wait for it...by unethically doing business with the state. 

"Money for nothing" and "me me me", indeed.

***BREAKING*** - Capitol sources say Rep. Kevin McGee (R - Brandon) has resigned from the House

There have been calls for Rep. Kevin McGee's resignation this year, and according to legislative sources, it appears as though he's finally heeded them. Rep. McGee, one of Mississippi's ALEC legislators and a chief lieutenant to Speaker Phillip Gunn (R - Clinton), had been found in violation of state ethics laws earlier this year for illegal contracts with the State.

Aldridge and McGee congratulated by Republicans for their record of ethical public service

Yesterday, the House Republican Caucus announced its leadership team.  No real surprises at the top of the list but nestled among the deputy whips, you'll find the names Brian Aldridge and Kevin McGee.  The inclusion of Aldridge and McGee among caucus leaders is notable for their recent brushes with the law.  Aldridge was chided by a Lee County judge late last year for his "lack of attention to [his] charity's finances" and for spending his aunt's money to take lavish vacations, shopping trips and contributions to the Republican Party.  More recently, McGee was popped by the Mississippi Ethics Commission for entering into illegal contracts with state agencies while serving as an elected official.

For what it's worth, I think both of these men would have made fine treasurers.

Rickey Cole calls for Kevin McGee to resign from House

In light of the news Rep. Kevin McGee (R-Brandon) has been ordered by the Mississippi Ethics Commission to repay $346,554.06 to the state and fined an additional $50,000 for violating the Constitution and Mississippi ethics laws, Rickey Cole released the following statement:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 4, 2012
CONTACT:  RICKEY COLE

McGee should resign immediately

Jackson, MS - On Thursday, February 2, the Mississippi Ethics Commission issued a Final Order in its investigation of Rep. Kevin McGee (R-Brandon).  The Commission found that since taking office in January 2008, Rep. McGee entered into 259 illegal service contracts with the State of Mississippi.  As a result, Mr. McGee’s business improperly received over $428,000 in state funds. 

The state constitution and state ethics laws prohibit legislators from doing business with state government.  For his many violations of the constitution and statutes, Rep. McGee has been ordered to repay $346,554.06 to the state and an additional fine of $50,000.

Rickey Cole, Executive Director of the Mississippi Democratic Party said,  “In light of these revelations, the only appropriate response is for Representative McGee to resign his office immediately.”  Cole added, “Mississippi deserves responsible stewards in positions of public trust, not shameless self-dealers willing to abuse the public trust for personal gain.”

Continuing, Cole noted, “Since the November elections, we’ve had a Republican state representative caught taking money from his vulnerable aunt, a Republican mayor caught using his city’s budget as his own private expense account, and now another Republican representative caught making off with more than a quarter of a million dollars in taxpayer funds.”  Cole added, “It seems to me that instead of using their power to make life better for all Mississippians, Republicans have decided to abuse their power to make a fat profit for themselves.”

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PRESS NOTES: 

Mississippi Ethics Commission Final Order: http://www.ethics.state.ms.us/ethics/ethics.nsf/PageSection/A_news_director_McGee%20Order/$FILE/McGee%20final%20order.pdf?OpenElement