Since February, we have discussed the story involving Sen. Scott Bundgaard and his former girlfriend. The couple reportedly got into a domestic dispute on a Phoenix road while on their way home from a public function. The dispute escalated into a very high-profile Arizona domestic violence case against Bundgaard.

Even though Bundgaard claimed that his ex was violent during the controversial incident, he was the only one to become the target of criminal charges. He ultimately pleaded no contest to misdemeanor endangerment and had an assault charge dismissed as part of a plea deal. Just when he might have thought the serious matter was over with, the heat turned up again against Bundgaard, this time from the Senate Ethics Committee.

Last week, the Senate Ethics Committee responded to a Phoenix senator's ethics complaint against Bundgaard. The senator accused Bundgaard of violating Arizona laws and, therefore, Senate laws. The committee voted to move forward with the investigation into what the domestic assault case could mean regarding Bundgaard's senate position.

The newest development in the investigation of the incident is that Bundgaard's legal team is fighting to make sure that their client gets a fair chance from the Ethics Committee. They want three committee members disqualified from participating in the process due to the argument that they have made comments in the past related to the assault incident that reveal them as prematurely biased against Bundgaard.

Bundgaard's position in Arizona government could be significantly impacted by the Ethics Committee's decision following the hearing. Just like in criminal court, he deserves the opportunity to be judged fairly by those who aren't prejudiced against him. His career is on the line.

We will post an update when there are more developments in this matter.

Source

Arizona Capitol Times: "Bundgaard attorney wants three in ethics committee disqualified," Paul Davenport, Sep. 20, 2011