LIVEBLOG: Coffman questioned at ethics hearing on conflict of interest charges

The testimony continues on allegations before the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission that Mike Coffman engaged in misconduct while secretary of state.

The charges of misconduct according to Colorado Ethics Watch:

• “Secretary Coffman allowed at least one employee in his office to operate a partisan side business without proper authorization and disclosure – a business that was patently incompatible with the official duties of that employee.”

• “Secretary Coffman failed to disclose a conflict of interest between him and one of the voting system vendors seeking certification from the secretary of state’s office – the only vendor that Secretary Coffman agreed to certify.”

LIVEBLOG: Mike Coffman faces ethics commission

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Aurora) answers conflict of interest charges leveled by Colorado Ethics Watch during his stint as secretary of state today in what promises to be a highly charged hearing.

The newly-empaneled Colorado Independent Ethics Commission is probing watchdog allegations that Coffman allowed GOP operative Dan Kopelman, then an employee of the department and a former Coffman campaign staffer, to operate a side business selling partisan voter data in violation of state ethics guidelines. The second charge stems from Coffman’s approval of a voting machine contract to Premier Election Systems (formerly Diebold) while the firm was also represented by Phase Line Strategies — Coffman’s political consultant in his congressional race.