Arkansas’ House speaker says he told a lawmaker who pleaded no contest to not paying state income taxes that it would be in everyone’s best interests if he resigned.
Speaker Matthew Shepherd said Thursday that he told state Rep. Mickey Gates he would resign if he was in Gates’ position. Shepherd also wouldn’t rule out seeking Gates’ removal if he doesn’t leave voluntarily.
Gates entered the plea Monday in Garland County Court to one count of not filing or paying income taxes. The Republican was arrested last year and charged with not filing returns from 2012 through 2017.
Gates was ordered to pay at least $74,789 he owes the state and to serve six years’ probation. Gates entered the plea under a law for first-time offenders that will allow the case against him to be dismissed after he serves probation.
