Hickenlooper's Law-Breaking: What You Need To Know

John Hickenlooper, the former governor of Colorado, was fined $2,750 for ethics violations. The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission found that Hickenlooper had violated the state's gift ban by accepting a private jet trip, a Maserati limousine ride, and luxurious dinners from large corporations. Hickenlooper also attended secretive Bilderberg meetings in Italy, where he paid a flat fee that he believed covered the cost of the trip, but later it was found that the fee did not include limousine rides. These actions broke Colorado law and led to the fine, which was twice the commission's estimated cost of the benefits he received.

Hickenlooper broke Colorado law in 2018

In 2018, John Hickenlooper, then governor of Colorado, broke state law by violating Amendment 41, which is a gift ban limiting the value of gifts an elected representative can accept. In 2018, the value was set at $59.

Hickenlooper broke this law twice. Firstly, he flew on a private jet to Connecticut for the commissioning of the USS Colorado. The jet was owned by homebuilder and donor Larry Mizel, the founder of MDC Holdings. Hickenlooper also received two meals covered by MDC Holdings on the trip. Secondly, Hickenlooper travelled to Turin, Italy, for a conference called the Bilderberg Meetings. He paid a flat fee of $1,500 that he believed covered the cost of a hotel stay, limousine transportation, meals and more. However, the event's sponsor, Fiat-Chrysler, stated that the $1,500 fee did not include the limousine rides.

Hickenlooper was fined $2,750 for these violations, which is twice the commission's estimated cost of the private flight and limousine rides he improperly accepted.

Hickenlooper's actions have been criticised by both Republicans and members of his own Democratic Party. His primary opponent, Andrew Romanoff, called for him to drop out of the race for Colorado's U.S. Senate seat following the revelations.

Hickenlooper violated the state's gift ban

In June 2020, the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission found that former Colorado governor and U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper had violated the state's gift ban for public officials twice during his time as governor. The commission dismissed four other trips included in the original complaint.

The complaint was filed by the conservative group Public Trust Institute, led by former Republican House Speaker Frank McNulty, in October 2018. The group accused Hickenlooper of violating state laws and rules by attending a conference and traveling on various occasions aboard private planes controlled by wealthy friends.

The commission concluded that Hickenlooper had crossed the line with a trip on a private plane to the commissioning of a U.S. Navy submarine in Connecticut, as well as when he accepted luxurious meals and other perks during a conference in Italy.

Amendment 41 of the state's constitution generally prohibits public officials from accepting valuable gifts. The central question in the Hickenlooper case was whether the trips fell under two exemptions: gifts from close friends on special occasions and trips where the governor is acting as an official representative of the state.

In the Connecticut case, Hickenlooper flew on a plane owned by the homebuilder MDC Holdings and attended events funded by the company. While the commission chair argued that the trip was allowed because it was an official state duty, other commissioners disagreed, voting 4-1 to find that he had committed a violation. They argued that the treatment Hickenlooper received was far beyond what was necessary and that excusing him would set a precedent for public officials to accept lavish gifts.

In the Italy case, Hickenlooper attended the Bilderberg Meetings in Turin, Italy. He paid $1,500 for travel and lodging, but the commission found that he had also enjoyed luxury accommodations that far exceeded that amount. Hickenlooper's team argued that he did not intend to or know he was accepting a gift from the company, but the commission disagreed, voting 5-0 that he had violated the gift ban.

As a result of these violations, Hickenlooper was fined $2,750, which was twice the commission's estimated cost for a one-way private flight and limousine rides he improperly accepted.

Hickenlooper's ethics violations

John Hickenlooper, former governor of Colorado and current senator, has been at the centre of several ethics controversies. In 2020, the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission fined Hickenlooper $2,750 for twice violating Colorado's gift ban as governor. The commission found that Hickenlooper had violated Amendment 41, a gift ban limiting the value of gifts an elected representative can accept, in 2018. The value was set at $59 in 2018.

The commission determined that Hickenlooper had violated the gift ban when he flew on a private jet to Connecticut for the commissioning of the USS Colorado and again when he travelled to Turin, Italy, for a conference called the Bilderberg Meetings. On the first trip, Hickenlooper flew on a private jet with homebuilder and donor Larry Mizel, the founder of MDC Holdings, and had two meals covered by MDC Holdings. On the second trip, Hickenlooper paid a flat fee of $1,500 that he believed covered the cost of a hotel stay, limousine transportation, meals and more. However, the event's sponsor, Fiat-Chrysler, stated that the $1,500 fee did not include the limousine rides.

Hickenlooper was also accused of other ethics violations, including accepting a flight from billionaire friend Ken Tuchman and flying on his chief of staff's private jet on two occasions. However, the commission cleared him of these charges, finding that these instances fell under exceptions to the ban for gifts from friends and gifts on special occasions.

In addition to the ethics violations, Hickenlooper was also held in contempt for refusing to comply with a subpoena to testify before the commission. He was fined an additional $2,750 for these contempt citations, bringing the total amount of fines to $5,500.

Hickenlooper's contempt citation

The ethics complaint against Hickenlooper was filed by the conservative group Public Trust Institute, led by former Republican House Speaker Frank McNulty, in October 2018. The commission determined that Hickenlooper violated Amendment 41, the state's ban on gifts to public officials, on two occasions. The first violation occurred when he accepted a flight on a private jet and exclusive dinners from MDC Holdings in March 2018. The second violation was related to his attendance at the secretive Bilderberg Meetings in Turin, Italy, in June 2018, where he paid a flat fee of $1,500 that he believed covered the cost of the trip, including transportation and meals. However, the event's sponsor, Fiat-Chrysler, stated that the fee did not include the limousine rides.

As a result of the contempt citation and ethics violations, Hickenlooper was fined $2,750, which was twice the commission's estimated cost of the gifts he had improperly accepted. The commission also considered charging Hickenlooper for attorney fees related to the contempt citation but ultimately decided against it due to concerns about their authority to do so.

Hickenlooper's attorney, Mark Grueskin, argued that the subpoena was a violation of his client's due process rights due to technical issues with the video conferencing program. However, Hickenlooper's testimony on Friday occurred without any technical difficulties.

The ethics investigation and contempt citation occurred during Hickenlooper's campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Colorado, adding to the political pressure he was facing at the time.

Hickenlooper's marijuana legacy

John Hickenlooper, the former governor of Colorado, has had a complex relationship with marijuana policy. Initially, he opposed the legalisation of marijuana, but his stance gradually evolved during his time in office. In 2012, voters in Colorado legalised the regulated recreational use of marijuana, and Hickenlooper was tasked with implementing this policy.

Hickenlooper's approach to marijuana regulation has been characterised by caution and a focus on gathering data. He sought input from various stakeholders, including concerned parents and the marijuana industry, to develop a comprehensive set of rules and regulations. This consultative approach drew criticism from some, who felt he was not taking a clear stance on the issue. Hickenlooper defended his position, arguing that it was important to make decisions based on data rather than spin.

One of the key challenges Hickenlooper faced was balancing the legalisation of recreational marijuana with the need for strict regulation, especially to protect children. He worked to implement a robust regulatory framework, addressing issues such as the potency of marijuana products and the emergence of new, more discreet consumption methods. Hickenlooper's administration also had to navigate the complexities of the medical marijuana system, including debates over qualifying medical conditions.

Hickenlooper's legacy in marijuana policy is marked by his pragmatic approach, prioritising data-driven decision-making over ideological positions. While some criticised him for a lack of leadership, others recognised his efforts to include diverse perspectives and build a robust regulatory structure. As the first state to legalise recreational marijuana, Colorado's experience under Hickenlooper's governance set a precedent for other states and contributed to the ongoing national conversation around marijuana legalisation.

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