Senator-at-Large Angel L. Bolques Jr. has formally answered an ethics complaint lodged by the Legislature’s Committee on Ethical Conduct, setting the stage for a public hearing later this month that could determine whether the first-term lawmaker faces disciplinary action.
According to a brief statement released Wednesday by the committee, Bolques submitted his response through legal counsel, meeting the next procedural step in the case. The complaint, filed June 17, outlines alleged violations of the Legislature’s internal Code of Conduct, though specifics have not been made public.
The committee now shifts to scheduling a hearing, where both Bolques and committee members will be able to present testimony and evidence. It’s the first formal proceeding under the committee’s recently revived authority, and the outcome will ultimately be decided by the full body of the Legislature once final recommendations are made.
It’s a process steeped in internal rules and protocol, but with public implications, especially for a senator who has steadily expanded his legislative portfolio over the past two years. Bolques, who was appointed in 2022 to fill a vacancy and later won his seat outright, chairs the Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks and serves on several others, including Rules and Judiciary.
While the Committee on Ethical Conduct has kept its proceedings close to the chest, Tuesday’s release emphasized its commitment to fairness and transparency. “The Committee remains committed to a fair, transparent, and impartial process, and will continue to uphold the ethical standards expected of all members of the Legislature,” the statement read.
The complaint comes at a time when the Legislature has been under growing pressure to improve internal accountability. The Committee on Ethical Conduct, formed under the 36th Legislature, was designed to address that demand head-on, with powers to investigate and recommend consequences ranging from a formal reprimand to censure.
A date for the hearing has not yet been released, but legislative staff said it will be held before the end of the month. Once the hearing concludes, committee members will deliberate privately before bringing their recommendations to the Senate floor for a final vote.
St. Croix Source
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