State Rep. Doug McLeod (R-HD 107) was appointed to only one committee in the Mississippi House of Representatives by Speaker Philip Gunn this week, a move that can only be seen as signaling the House Leadership’s displeasure with the George County legislator.
McLeod was arrested in May 2019 on domestic violence.
At the time of the incident, Speaker Gunn was quoted as saying, “I have attempted to contact Rep. McLeod to request his resignation, if in fact, these allegations are true… These actions are unacceptable for anyone.”
In August 2019, McLeod was found not guilty by a George County Justice Court Judge.
Speaker Gunn again spoke to the matter following the ruling, stating, “This whole situation is still very concerning not only to me, but to other members of the House of Representatives. The court may have found Rep. McLeod not guilty, but as a member of the Mississippi Legislature to find yourself in this situation – it is still an issue. As we have done with other matters, we will refer this to the House Ethics Committee for further consideration.”
Mississippi House rules say that if a member is appointed to one of the main money committees – Appropriations or Ways and Means – that member is not required to be appointed to any other committees.
McLeod was appointed to Ways and Means.
Frank Corder
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