Share


Rep. Murphy, Sen. Kibbie: Letter responding to to query about Film Office
9/23/2009

September 23, 2009

Dear Rep. Paulsen and Sen. McKinley:

In response to your September 21 letter, we are writing to assure you that we share the same goal: To provide the taxpayers of Iowa with an open and honest account of the actions of the Iowa Film Office and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

For that reason, we echo our previous statements that it was proper for Governor Culver to announce plans yesterday to involve Attorney General Tom Miller, State Auditor David Vaudt and Department of Revenue officials to ensure that every fiscal and legal avenue is pursued against anyone who has abused this program.

At this time, however, we believe that it would be imprudent for the Oversight Committee to bring officials from the Department of Economic Development/Film Office, State Auditor’s office, Attorney General’s office or Department of Revenue before the committee because it could impede or interrupt this joint investigation. We are especially concerned about the effect of such testimony on any potential criminal proceedings in light of Chief Deputy Auditor Warren Jenkins’s statement that criminal charges against some individuals are possible.

We will keep your request on file and we will encourage our Oversight Committee members to invite the appropriate officials to appear before the committee at the appropriate time.

Sincerely,

Representative Pat Murphy
House Speaker
Iowa House of Representatives

Senator John P. Kibbie
Senate President
Iowa Senate

CC: Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Rep. Vicki Lensing- Chair
Rep. Ralph Watts- Ranking Member
Sen. Rich Olive- Chair
Sen. Pat Ward- Ranking Member


Printer-friendly version      Send this article to a friend      Share