Jan 9, 2009 11:09 am US/Mountain
Balmer Denies Working With Lobbyist For Leader Job
DENVER (AP) ―
A Republican lawmaker has denied working with a lobbyist to try to win a leadership position in the state House.
Lawmakers are investigating whether Rep. David Balmer of Centennial asked lobbyist Erik Groves to ask another lawmaker to support him for minority leader.
Balmer told lawmakers Friday he didn't ask Groves to contact the other lawmaker, Rep. Cindy Acree of Aurora. Groves has said he called Acree but was acting on his own.
Acree says Groves and the others left messages for her, some promising to deliver campaign contributions they had pledged earlier.
Lawmakers are also investigating whether Groves violated rules barring lobbyists from participating in leadership races. His attorney, Richard Kauffman, says Groves will respond by Wednesday.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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