House kills “Clear and Convincing”

From the Associated Press: In a 45-42 vote, the Louisiana House returned the standard by which ethics complaints are judged to “any substantial evidence” from “clear and convincing.” The standard was raised at the last minute during last February’s special session, through an amendment submitted by Jindal floor chief Sen. Bob Kostelka.

Since the discovery of the change of standard, the Jindal administration has come under fire for essentially gutting the very ethics package he had been touting. Allegations that Jindal’s executive counsel, Jimmy Faircloth actually drafted the amendment has gone without comment by the Jindal administration.

The bill now goes to the Senate where it is likely that Kostelka will work to have the amendment, sponsored by State Rep. Cedric Richmond, stripped.