Mickey Gates
In June 2018, after lobbyist Milton R. “Rusty” Cranford identified state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson as one of several lawmakers who’d taken bribes, Hutchinson’s fellow legislators called on him to resign.
State Rep. Marcus Richmond noted that the perception of the Legislature “right now is awful. It is going to take a lot of work overall on our part to restore that trust.” Largely responsible for the public’s perception was the fact that by that time a number of lawmakers had been convicted of a variety of crimes stemming from their interactions with Cranford.
After he was indicted, Hutchinson did resign from the state Senate and eventually pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy and tax fraud charges. And in the aftermath of the political corruption scandal, lawmakers did strengthen ethics rules and approve new ethics laws.
Last week, state Rep. Mickey Gates gave his fellow legislators another opportunity to show they’re serious about restoring public trust.
Gates was arrested in June 2018 on six counts of failing to pay state income taxes or file returns. He owed almost $260,000 in back taxes, penalties and interest, the State Police said. After Gates’ arrest, Gov. Asa Hutchinson was among the high-level fellow Republicans who urged him to resign.
Last Monday, Gates pleaded no contest to failing to file a state income tax return or pay taxes for the 2012 tax year. The plea agreement allowed him to avoid a conviction if he meets the terms of his probation, terms that include paying the state $74,789. The prosecutor in the case said the state considered Gates’ plea the best means of recovering the money he owed.
Gates, who was re-elected in November despite the tax charges hanging over him, said last week he has no intention of resigning, while the Republican Party and fellow legislators remained mute.
Lawmakers, your work isn’t finished.
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