CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — The Missouri House Ethics Committee will meet Monday for the first time in public since December amid an ongoing investigation into House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres as members await a report that could lead to a decision on Plocher’s future in charge of the chamber. Plocher told Spectrum News Saturday he has not been asked to appear before the panel but said he’s ready “to present my case and have due process play out.”

Portions of Monday afternoon’s hearing could be closed. Due to confidentiality rules, members of the panel, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, have not publicly confirmed the target of the probe.

The Missouri Independent reports that the investigation came after the outlet reported Plocher had asked the state to reimburse travel costs already paid for by his campaign committee. Plocher filed Tuesday to run for lieutenant governor. He’s also faced scrutiny for his role in trying to award a state contract for managing constituent information, and for firing his chief of staff and legislative director.

In a November interview with Spectrum News, Plocher described the investigation as a sideshow. On Saturday, he described it as a “political hit” and again defended his actions.

“I welcome the opportunity to present anything I can to the ethics committee and to the people as a whole. I want everything to be transparent. I know everything, what I’ve been accused of at least. I know I’m in the right and I think it’s a lot of a political hit here but it is what it is when you’re taking on the lifelong bureaucrats,” Plocher said before the St. Louis County GOP presidential caucus held at Parkway West High School.

The confirmation that Plocher hasn’t been in front of the committee is notable because it suggests the committee has yet to vote on whether to hold a “primary hearing” where he could defend himself.

Members of the House GOP caucus have said they want to wait for an ethics committee report before deciding if it rises to the level of removing Plocher from his post. He’s rejected calls to resign.

“I’m focused on being the Speaker through May, and May the 17th, I think we gavel out. We have a budget to pass, we have to pass the FRA (Federal Reimbursement Allowance) that’s about $4.6 billion dollars. We need to pass conservative legislation, working on immigration, fentanyl that’s coming across the border from china through Mexico…we’ve got a lot to work on that are important for Missouri’s voters.”

Unlike several other elected lawmakers who are on the August ballot, including State Treasurer Vivek Malek, State Sen. Andrew Koenig and U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, Plocher did not speak to what was otherwise a captive audience waiting for Saturday’s caucus to begin. He’s running in a crowded primary field for lieutenant governor against State Sen. Holly Rehder, State Sen. Lincoln Hough, Franklin County Clerk Tim Baker, Paul Berry III and David Wasinger. 

Plocher said he plans to be “all-in” on the race after the General Assembly session ends in May.