Wyoming House Launches Investigation into Whether Checks Handed to Lawmakers Were Bribes

All 59 representatives present in the Wyoming House on Thursday voted unanimously to convene a special investigative committee, following allegations that a political activist handed campaign checks to lawmakers on the House floor earlier this week. The probe will examine whether the exchange constituted bribery or legislative misconduct.

The controversy began Monday evening when Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, observed Rebecca Bextel, a Teton County Republican Party committeewoman and media credential holder, distributing checks to several Republican representatives shortly after the House adjourned. Those identified as recipients included Reps. Marlene Brady (Green River), Darin McCann (Rock Springs), and Joe Webb (Evanston)—all aligned with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus.

Two days later, all three voted in favor of introducing House Bill 141, legislation aimed at curbing affordable housing mitigation programs similar to those Bextel has long opposed in Jackson. The timing raised questions, though no direct evidence of a quid pro quo has emerged.

On the House floor Thursday, McCann acknowledged the poor optics but denied wrongdoing. “I did not accept any bribe or anything like that,” he said. “If this had happened at a motel, would we be having this conversation? I made a mistake. I’ll own it.” Brady similarly welcomed the investigation, stating it would help clear the names of those implicated.

Bextel initially declined to comment on what she distributed, telling Cowboy State Daily it was “none of your business.” She later posted on Facebook that she was delivering “lawful campaign checks from Teton County donors” and saw nothing improper in doing so while in Cheyenne for the session.

House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, will now appoint a seven-member committee, including at least one Democrat, to hear evidence “as expeditiously as possible.” Witnesses must receive 48 hours’ notice, and the committee has four days after convening to report its findings.

The vote followed nearly three hours of emotional debate. Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, called the incident “a stain on the complete appearance of what this House stands for.” Rep. Andrew Byron, R-Jackson, emphasized that the chamber belongs to the people of Wyoming, not its members. “The people of Wyoming deserve to know the facts,” he said.

An attempt by Rep. Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne, to expand the investigation into broader public records reform failed, as did an amendment by Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, to narrow the scope. Rodriguez-Williams had previously accused Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, of defamation for raising concerns about “optics” surrounding the checks.

Former state Rep. Scott Clem, watching from the gallery, said he was “dumbfounded” by the situation, noting that legislators are trained to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. The investigation now moves forward, with the committee expected to report back within days.