Investigative report on Rep. Matt Shea to be released Friday

Erin Robinson by Erin Robinson

Copyright 2019 KXLY.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without prior permission. Rep. Matt Shea (R) speaks at a Liberty or Death rally for gun rights at Franklin Park in August 2018.

The findings of an independent investigation into whether Representative Matt Shea condoned political violence are set to be released on Friday.

The Washington State House of Representatives ordered the investigation in July. The house is expected to be briefed on the report Thursday.

The investigation was launched to determine whether Shea, who represents Spokane Valley, condoned political violence.

A past investigative report by The Guardian showed leaked chats accusing the Republican legislator of secretly discussing the potential of carrying out surveillance and violent attacks on liberal people and groups.

Earlier this month, a panel of five legislators began reviewing the investigation’s findings. That committee was made up of J.T. Wilcox, Joel Kretz, John Lovick, Pat Sullian and Eric Pettigrew.

Shea’s lawyer said their team requested to review the report in early December, but will not see it before it is released Friday.

Shea released the following statement to 4 News Now regarding the release of the committee’s report:

“In July the House leadership took the unprecedented step of hiring an outside vendor to investigate lawful communications between a member of the House and citizens of this country. As the subject of this investigation I have been denied any opportunity to review and respond to its results which are still unknown to me.

Due process is the right of every citizen, and should be afforded to all members of the House regardless of their views or party affiliation. When due process is thrown out the window for political expediency we all, as Americans, are in danger. ” …no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or matters of opinion. ” United States Supreme Court in West Virgina [sic] Bd. of Ed. v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 642 (1943).

I want to thank my local community who has strengthened me through their tremendous outpouring of support. I will not back down. I will continue to fight for our shared values that have made this country such a blessing to the rest of the world. ”

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