Fisher's ethics complaint claims Parkinson didn't disclose ties with Progressive Democrats of Guam

Sen. Tom Fisher filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Will Parkinson for failing to disclose a conflict of interest with a political organization currently under legislative investigation. 

"What prompted me was an extraordinarily blatant ethical violation by a sitting senator here in the legislature," Fisher said. 

The complaint was filed last Friday, a day after senators passed Resolution 67. That resolution established a special investigative committee to uncover who forged an amendment accusing Sen. Chris Duenas of cutting teacher pay raises to fund his school repair bill.

Fisher contends Parkinson is a member of the organization under investigation -- Progressive Democrats of Guam. He said failure to recuse himself from debating and voting on the resolution violates Guam law.

"He personally benefits by seeing it fail," Fisher said. "He didn’t succeed thank goodness but that hardly erases his sin of not reporting it, of not recusing himself, and not filing a notice of a conflict of interest with the Guam Election Commission."

But Parkinson is denying those claims saying he has not been a member since 2020. 

Parkinson also pointed out potential conflicts of interest with other senators. 

"I’d almost argue if I have to recuse myself, then Chris Duenas and Chris Barnett should have recused themselves as well," he responded. "Chris Barnett’s committee was directly implicated by Julian Jansen. And Chris Duenas himself is the alleged victim in all of this."  

Fisher argues Parkinson is still listed as an officer on their Facebook page, identifying him as a member.

Meanwhile, the republican senator recused himself from the ethics committee investigation to prevent a conflict of interest as he is a sitting member.

Sen. Fisher says the special investigative committee is still forming and has yet to decide when they will meet.