The Vermont House of Representatives’ Special Committee on Impeachment conducted its first meeting Tuesday. The committee could begin a lengthy review of proceedings against the state’s attorney and Franklin County sheriff.
By Dave Fidlin | The Center Square
A recently formed House committee on Tuesday began what could be a months-long review of possible impeachment proceedings against two officials within one of Vermont’s counties.
The House of Representatives Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry held its introductory session and laid the groundwork for possible proceedings against Franklin County officials John Lavoie, state’s attorney, and John Grismore, sheriff.
The committee was formed to dig into the possibility of holding impeachment proceedings. The process is rare in Vermont – the last occurrence occurred in 1976 when Sheriff Malcolm Mayo was impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate.
Allegations have been mounted against Lavoie for unwanted physical contact with employees, in addition to multiple accusations of discriminatory comments. Grismore was found on surveillance video kicking a man in custody last August and is being prosecuted.
The special committee’s resolution stated that its task is “to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its constitutional power to impeach” the two county-level officials.
Much of Tuesday’s meeting was organizational and served as an opportunity for the legislative committee members to receive input and guidance on the next steps.
Clerk of the House BetsyAnn Wrask outlined the committee’s assorted considerations in a memo. Throughout the review process, Wrask said, the constitutional procedure will be a guide in the rarely-used proceedings.
“It is serious business to remove someone from office whom the voters have elected,” Wrask said.
Regardless of the committee’s findings, Wrask said it would be important for the panelists to vote a firm recommendation of “yes” or “no” in moving forward with impeachment proceedings.
“The reason is that’s what you were formed to do,” Wrask said of offering a recommendation. “Ultimately, it’s up to the House to decide.”
No firm action was taken at the meeting. However, Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-Montpelier, gave several state staffers the authority to begin the process of bringing an independent investigator and, possibly, outside legal counsel into the fold.
Michael O’Grady, deputy chief counsel with the Office of Legislative Counsel, will begin looking at prospective people and firms before the committee’s next meeting, scheduled for June 1.
Several factors – including the cost – could determine how the committee moves forward with outside consultancy. O’Grady said several variables could factor into fees, including the number of attorneys brought into the fold from a respective firm.
“It can vary widely,” O’Grady said. “There’s obviously a significant difference in costs.”
While the entirety of the meeting was before the public, all or portions of future meetings could be held behind closed doors in executive session.
“We want to be as transparent as possible,” LaLonde said. “We are in a bit of a different situation, where we have to be careful we’re protecting witnesses from retaliation or any kind of employment issues. That’s going to be an interesting balance as we go forward.”
Nobody is asking about the impeachments going on in Washington, huh?
What about the money laundering scheme known as Ukraine?
What about the coup? Where they through an election and tried to impeach a sitting president with lies about Russia Russia, Russia?
What about the pharmaceutical lies about cOvid and its treatment that killed?
Oh and VERMONT own EB 5, that got swept under the rug and no Vermont official got punished, despite them knowing and a $200 million dollar ponzu scheme that the state had complete oversight on! They were in charge but nobody was charged with the crime of the century?
Wonder now if the Feds were covering for Leahy?
Oh and what about the hundreds of Feds in with January 6th?
Nope Montpelier like picking on vt republicans instead. Remember the years long investigation of Norm? Charged him with prostitution, ruined him the out rage across the state, meanwhile they are trying to legalize sex workers a couple years later in Montpelier?
Norm was found innocent, not so sure about Montpelier.
Expecting the public servants to investigate and punish, themselves, well, let’s just say it’s not so bright.
People of Vermont, acting as the fourth branch of government, since the People are the ones that created the government through the constitution, have the absolute right to form a common law Grand Jury, outside the participation or influence of ANY public servant and investigate, indict/remove any public official in the state.
If the Grand Jury finds it necessary to bring in the county/state militia to enforce their indictments, they have that right as well.
“All political power originates from and remains with, the People”…
Your name is accurate. 🙂
Well, what I was trying to do is, by their absence, by their silence, it only proves we have but one party in Montpelier, the Uniparty. They love to have us fighting each other, rather than forming a more perfect union.
The people peacefully coming together in truth and love is their biggest fear, it’s their kryptonite. They do love lawfare, they do love to fight and intimidate it is their battlefield.
They have no defense against kindness, gentleness and respect. There are no laws against these.
How much is this theater of the absurd costing Vermont taxpayers? Please report the cost – including expenses – so we know the exact amount of theft perpetrated by our Legislative bandits.
It’s all about public canceling, to keep VERMONTERS oppressed by Montpelier.
It works too, people,are terrified to publically go against Montpelier
I’d say people are gutless cowards if they don’t speak up and fight back against the machine. Or they are as stupid as the machine has calculated and manuvers accordingly. Either way, the day of judgment is coming – ready or not.
seems like their sticking their nose in business that’s not theirs. Also seems like the voters of that area like the two regardless of what they’ve done. So maybe instead of pizzing away more money on committees, studies, and outside groups they should just go home and listen to the taxpayers complain of the unafforable heat act and food for all and higher cost they’ve caused us all. If their removed I hope the voters just return them to office. Next thing the leftist ijits will be trying to impeach Trump for something…