Watchdog files Justice complaint against Rep. Mike Ross

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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/59997-watchdog-files-justice-complaint-against-rep-mike-ross

An ethics watchdog group has filed a complaint with the Justice Department against Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.).

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) asked the Justice Department to investigate whether Ross engaged in bribery and honest services fraud by selling a commercial property for more than its worth to a pharmacy chain with an interest in pending legislation.

A recent ProPublica.com story chronicled Ross’s sale of Holly’s Health Mart in Prescott, Ark. to USA Drug for $420,000. The article also alleged that the owner of USA Drug, Stephen LaFrance, paid Ross and his wife, Holly, between $500,000 and $1 million worth of assets, and that Holly Ross was paid between $100,000 and $250,000 for signing a covenant not to compete with Super D Drug Acquisition as part of the sale. In addition, at least two weeks after the sale, Rep. Ross received a $2,300 campaign contribution from LaFrance.

At the time of the sale, the county assessor’s office valued the pharmacy building and land on which it sits at $263,000, $157,000 less than the Rosses were paid.