Wyoming Legislative Panel Clears Lawmakers of Bribery in "Checkgate" Scandal but Mandates Strict New Conduct Rules

A Wyoming House panel clears lawmakers of bribery after campaign checks were handed out on the floor, but recommends new rules to prevent "undesirable" conduct.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 9:20 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Cap City News

Findings of the Fact-Finding Inquiry

The House Special Investigative Committee, chaired by Representative Art Washut, released its final report on Wednesday night, closing a three-week inquiry into the distribution of $1,500 campaign checks within the legislative chamber. The committee determined that four representatives Joe Webb, Marlene Brady, Darin McCann, and Chris Knapp received checks from activist Rebecca Bextel on behalf of donor Don Grasso. While the report explicitly states that no laws or existing legislative rules were broken, it characterized the event as a significant breach of institutional decorum that caused substantial public uproar.

The Mechanics of the Exchange

The investigation utilized security footage and photographic evidence to piece together the events of February 9, 2026. Findings revealed that Representative Nina Webber escorted Bextel onto the floor shortly after adjournment, where Bextel distributed the checks in a span of approximately ten seconds. While most checks were made out to campaign accounts, at least one was made payable directly to a representative rather than a campaign fund. The committee noted that the House floor is a specially designated place where campaign activity, even if technically lawful, invites heightened scrutiny due to its historical and constitutional significance.

Proposed Rule Changes and Legislative Reform

To prevent a recurrence, the committee urged the Legislature’s Management Council to implement several significant reforms. This includes the installation of enhanced signage at the entry of the House floor to detail expectations and conduct guidelines for visitors. Additionally, a proposed rule would make any Representative who escorts a member of the public onto the floor personally responsible for that individual's behavior. The committee also suggested that new legislator training focus specifically on avoiding the appearance of impropriety, regardless of the legality of an action, and encouraged a comparative review of ethics rules in neighboring states.