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Press Release: Rep. Curtman Issues Statement on Ferguson Response Investigatory Committee

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In response to the organizational hearing of the Joint Committee on Government Accountability, Representative Paul Curtman issued the following statement.

 

“The Joint Committee on Government Accountability held its inaugural hearing this week and will proceed with a thorough investigation into Governor Nixon’s use of the National Guard during the recent unrest in Ferguson, MO.  There are several takeaways from this hearing that I believe Missourians should know as we move forward.

 

“First, the committee’s charge is to have a robust investigation into the response, or lack thereof, of the Missouri National Guard in Ferguson following the “no true bill” finding of the grand jury.  Second, state employees will be afforded whistleblower protection should they have information they feel needs to reach the committee.  And, third, the committee has the authority to subpoena information and receive testimony under oath should the Executive branch be non-cooperative.

 

“Missouri citizens have a right to know why the governor activated the National Guard only to not use them to protect property and preserve order while one of our cities was being looted and burned. The committee will investigate the governor’s response to the unrest in Ferguson as a means of discovering the details of what happened, who is responsible and whether or not there was any negligence or wrongdoing involved.”

Rep. Curtman served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman on active duty from 1999-2003 and in the Marine Corps reserves until 2009.

 

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