LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – The Arkansas House has voted to expel a lawmaker who pleaded no contest to not paying state income taxes for several years. The chamber voted 88-4 on Friday to remove Republican state Rep. Mickey Gates, who was arrested last year and charged with not filing returns from 2012 through 2017. Gates in July pleaded no contest to one count of not filing or paying income taxes and was given six months’ probation. He is the first lawmaker to be kicked out of the Arkansas House since the 1800s.The Arkansas Times reports the four voting against the expulsion included John Payton of Wilburn, whose District 64 covers the southern portion of Baxter County, along with portions of Searcy, Stone and Cleburne counties.
The Times notes the roll call vote followed defeat of a motion for a secret ballot.
No representatives spoke for or against the motion to remove Gates.
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