Wyoming legislative panel dismisses ethics complaint against state senator
A Wyoming legislative panel has dismissed a complaint that accused a state senator of ethics violations for voting to approve funding for an abandoned mine land reclamation program that has issued contracts to his company.
Senate President Phil Nicholas on Friday announced that the panel has dismissed the complaint against Riverton Republican Sen. Eli Bebout. The panel also dismissed requests for an independent lawyer to consider Bebout’s conduct.
Four state residents had complained about Bebout’s support of the Abandoned Mine Lands in this year’s legislative session, claiming it improperly benefited a company called Nucor that he partially owns.
Bebout has emphasized his company would only receive funding under the bill if it made a successful bid for mine reclamation funding. It has received contracts for similar work in the past.


