Harry Johnston: “until 2 weeks ago, in almost 20 years of public service, I had never filed a complaint against a colleague, even though…”

“until 2 weeks ago, in almost 20 years of public service, I had never filed a complaint against a colleague, even though I twice served on committees charged with investigating colleagues for ethical violations in the Florida State Senate with their censure or dismissal often hanging in the balance. In 30 years of the practice of law, I never filed an ethics complaint against a colleague, even though again, I served for many years on the grievance committee of the Florida Bar which recommended to the bar either disbarment, suspension, or reprimand for serious violations of ethical standards. Accordingly, I do not take lightly such complaints against a colleague, and in particular, the Speaker of the House. On Wednesday, February 22 of this year, I became a signatory, along with Congresswomen Pat Schroeder and Cynthia McKinney, to a complaint filed with the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct against Speaker Newt Gingrich. The first response to our complaint by the Speaker was communicated through his staff assistant, who, according to the Washington Post, "* * * accused the lawmakers who filed the complaint of 'malicious imbecility.'" I consider this a rather intemperate remark, to say the least, and as much as the spokesman is an employee of the House of Representatives and a surrogate of the Speaker, I find his tone and language both offensive and inappropriate.”