On October 21, 2024 the Vermont Republican Party Chairman, Paul Dame filed an ethics complaint against State Senator Chris Bray after The Addison Independent published a letter from a constituent in Addison County. “Many voters may be aware of wrong-doing, but may not know about the process to make a formal ethics complaint,” said Dame. “In this case it seems clear that Bray has failed to disclose or recuse himself from matters related to a personal relationship he has developed with a notable lobbyist in Montpelier. “

“Specifically, around the time Bray entered into a relationship with Maggie Lenz, a Vice President at Leonine Public Affairs, he began championing causes and legislation supported by Leonine and their clients,” added Dame. “This includes, among other bills, the controversial Renewable Energy Standard—supported by Green Mountain Power, a key Leonine client—which Bray voted for in committee, delivered the committee report for, voted to advance to third reading, voted to override Governor Scott’s veto on, and publicly championed with advocacy groups.”

“The Vermont Code of Ethics clearly states that ‘public servants faced with a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, shall publicly recuse themselves from the matter in question” and “if the public servant believes they may proceed with the matter despite the conflict, they must disclose the conflict in writing.’”

“Bray did neither-violating both the spirit and letter of the state’s ethics code, concluded Dame. “As a result, it is now up to the Vermont Ethics Commission to investigate this case fully and hold Senator Bray accountable.”

“In his own newsletter Bray had once touted the ethics bill he has voted for and it is disappointing to see him in a possible violation of the law he once voted for.