GRASSADELLIA CITY -- They've been longtime allies, but Damoign Governor Jenna Duvan today called for an investigation into her friend and predecessor in the governor's mansion, Rod Penora.
Penora, a Nationalist who currently serves as Damoign's attorney general and previously served as Damoign's governor, has been accused by a whistleblower in the state's justice department of targeting political opponents with phony investigations, planting fake evidence to frame his enemies, and pressuring rival politicians whom he perceived as a threat.
Jona Silver was Penora's chief of staff until July, when she quit abruptly.
At the time, Silver said she was stepping down for personal reasons, but she later secretly went to the state ethics commission and reported Penora's alleged misconduct.
The ethics commission has not opened an investigation yet, but is requesting testimony from other sources, including Penora himself.
Mr. Penora has adamantly denied the accusations, and says Ms. Silver is a "disgruntled employee seeking revenge after she was forced to resign because of poor performance and failure to adequately carry out her job duties."
"These allegations against me are purely false. They're made by an angry ex-employee of mine, she's upset, and this is her way of getting back at me," Penora said.
Conservative politicians in the state legislature quickly jumped on the corruption accusations, calling for both an investigation by the ethics commission and by state legislators.
However, most of the state's NAT leaders have remained mum on the scandal, expressing concerns about the motivations of Ms. Silver.
Today however, under growing pressure from Conservatives and members of the media, Damoign's current governor Jenna Duvan, also a Nationalist, called for an investigation by the ethics committee. She was joined by the leaders from both parties of the state Senate and House of Representatives.
"The allegations against Attorney General Penora are serious and should be investigated thoroughly," Duvan said in a press conference.
"I've known Attorney General Penora for years and I consider him a friend and a mentor. The allegations against him are totally out of character with the Rod Penora I know. But even though he's a friend, these allegations must be investigated," Duvan said.
She added, however, that Penora "deserves the presumption of innocence like every citizen," and Ms. Duvan called for a "complete and fair investigation that prioritizes neither protection nor incrimination of the accused."
Conservative state Senator Joe Laurentis told the NPF he is concerned about the allegations, but "right now it's nothing more than a he-said, she-said situation."
Penora has retained the prominent Grassadellia City legal firm Kenley, Adams and Sutton to represent him.
Ms. Silver has also obtained legal representation, but it's unclear who is representing her.
Penora, a Nationalist who currently serves as Damoign's attorney general and previously served as Damoign's governor, has been accused by a whistleblower in the state's justice department of targeting political opponents with phony investigations, planting fake evidence to frame his enemies, and pressuring rival politicians whom he perceived as a threat.
Jona Silver was Penora's chief of staff until July, when she quit abruptly.
At the time, Silver said she was stepping down for personal reasons, but she later secretly went to the state ethics commission and reported Penora's alleged misconduct.
The ethics commission has not opened an investigation yet, but is requesting testimony from other sources, including Penora himself.
Mr. Penora has adamantly denied the accusations, and says Ms. Silver is a "disgruntled employee seeking revenge after she was forced to resign because of poor performance and failure to adequately carry out her job duties."
"These allegations against me are purely false. They're made by an angry ex-employee of mine, she's upset, and this is her way of getting back at me," Penora said.
Conservative politicians in the state legislature quickly jumped on the corruption accusations, calling for both an investigation by the ethics commission and by state legislators.
However, most of the state's NAT leaders have remained mum on the scandal, expressing concerns about the motivations of Ms. Silver.
Today however, under growing pressure from Conservatives and members of the media, Damoign's current governor Jenna Duvan, also a Nationalist, called for an investigation by the ethics committee. She was joined by the leaders from both parties of the state Senate and House of Representatives.
"The allegations against Attorney General Penora are serious and should be investigated thoroughly," Duvan said in a press conference.
"I've known Attorney General Penora for years and I consider him a friend and a mentor. The allegations against him are totally out of character with the Rod Penora I know. But even though he's a friend, these allegations must be investigated," Duvan said.
She added, however, that Penora "deserves the presumption of innocence like every citizen," and Ms. Duvan called for a "complete and fair investigation that prioritizes neither protection nor incrimination of the accused."
Conservative state Senator Joe Laurentis told the NPF he is concerned about the allegations, but "right now it's nothing more than a he-said, she-said situation."
Penora has retained the prominent Grassadellia City legal firm Kenley, Adams and Sutton to represent him.
Ms. Silver has also obtained legal representation, but it's unclear who is representing her.
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