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Arkansas GOP House Leader Calls For Shoffner's Removal

Martha Shoffner
Danny Johnston
/
AP Photo

The top Republican in the Arkansas House is calling on the governor to begin the process to remove state Treasurer Martha Shoffner over federal charges she accepted cash from an investment broker.

House Majority Leader Bruce Westerman on Tuesday asked Gov. Mike Beebe to convene lawmakers to remove Shoffner, a day after she appeared in court on federal extortion charges.

Beebe, a Democrat, and other top elected officials have asked Shoffner to step down. Shoffner, a Democrat, has said she has no plans to step down. Beebe's office said it asked the attorney general's for guidance on the options available if Shoffner doesn't resign but was not yet calling for impeachment proceedings.

Shoffner is accused of taking at least $36,000 in cash from a broker to whom she steered business.