AR HR1079

House District 22 Representative Mickey Gates pleaded nolo contendere on July 29, 2019 to violating Arkansas Code § 26-18-202 (failure to pay or file a tax return), a felony offense.

Gates agreed to serve six years of probation and pay restitution to the State of Arkansas of at least $74,789.89 for tax years 2012, 2013, and 2014.

The plea constitutes a "public trust crime" under Arkansas Code § 21-8-305, which prohibits holding constitutional office, and falls under prohibited crimes listed in Arkansas Constitution Article 5, § 9.

The House of Representatives finds the plea and conduct unbecoming of a member and punishable under its sole disciplinary authority.

The resolution expels House District 22 Representative Mickey Gates from the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Second General Assembly, exercising the two-thirds expulsion power granted by Arkansas Constitution Article 5, § 12.