Dean reveals tie to drug lobbyist

DENVER - House Speaker-elect Doug Dean is staying away from prescription drug bills because of his romantic relationship with a pharmaceutical lobbyist.

In a case where Dean's private life has crept into his public life, the Colorado Springs Republican says he will abstain from dealing with and voting on any pharmaceutical bills to steer clear of even the slightest air of impropriety.

With health-care premiums skyrocketing, there may be legislative attempts to hold down the price of prescription drugs. Insurance companies often point to prescription drugs as one factor responsible for the higher costs.

Dean, who is divorced, said he has been dating Gloria Sanak, a lobbyist for Tap Pharmaceuticals, since May. Sanak lobbies on behalf of the company in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and Nevada. Tap makes drugs for heartburn and prostate cancer.

"I am going above and beyond what is required of me just to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest," Dean said Tuesday. "I'm going to do everything in my power to not even hint at giving her preferential treatment.

On Tuesday, Dean took his first official inaction as a result of his relationship, setting aside two proposed drug bills so that Speaker Pro Tem Brad Young, R-Lamar, could assign them to appropriate committees.

"He will make the determination of what committee or committees those bills should go to... with no input from me and no input from Gloria," Dean said.

The two bills were recommendations from an interim legislative committee on health care issues, one recommending a tax credit for prescription drug purchases and the other creating savings accounts for prescription drugs.

As speaker, Dean is one of the most powerful people at the Capitol because he assigns bills to committees. If he likes a bill, he can send it to a panel where it will get a favorable hearing. If he doesn't, he can send it somewhere to die.

Colleagues on both sides of the aisle say Dean is acting appropriately.

"I think he is making the right decision," said Rep. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs. "I think everybody knows he is dating this girl, and he takes a bigger risk by not abstaining than by abstaining."

"My personal feeling is that it is the right call, one I would have made," said Dan Grossman, D-Denver, the House minority leader.

But Dean said he is doing more than necessary. In November, he asked the Office of Legislative Legal Services if the relationship would create a conflict of interest. The answer came back "no."

"Based on the relevant facts, it does not appear that you will have a personal or private interest in legislation lobbied by your girlfriend if you do not have a personal interest in her employer or a shared economic benefit," according to a Nov. 27 analysis prepared by state attorneys.

Despite the opinion, Dean said he would abstain from voting on pharmaceutical bills.

"I'm not going to because I don't want there to be any discussion of conflict of interest," he said.

Dean said he split with his wife, Shiela, roughly two years ago.

- Kyle Henley may be reached at (303)837-0613 or khenley@gazette.com

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