Scott Tipton apologizes for daughter's improper e-mails as spokesman goes after Nancy Pelosi

Shortly after winning praise for getting the ban on the military expansion of Pinon Canyon restored, Representative Scott Tipton faces potential embarrassment over letters sent by his daughter, Elizabeth, in which she dropped daddy's name to seek business for the family-connected telecommunications firm where she works. But even as Tipton...

By Michael Roberts

May 27, 2011

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Shortly after winning praise for getting the ban on the military expansion of Pinon Canyon restored, Representative Scott Tipton faces potential embarrassment over letters sent by his daughter, Elizabeth, in which she dropped daddy's name to seek business for the family-connected telecommunications firm where she works. But even as Tipton has apologized on her behalf, his spokesman is pointing fingers at House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer for starting the rumors in the first place.

The story, as told by Politico's Marin Cogan, goes like this...

Elizabeth Tipton works for Broadnet, a tele-townhall services firm co-founded by Steve Patterson, Scott Tipton's nephew. She tried to drum up business via e-mails that preceded a pitch with the statement, "I am Congressman Tipton's daughter..."

Neither Tipton's office nor legal experts contacted by Politico regard Elizabeth's actions as a specific violation of the House of Representative's ethics rules -- but the latter do describe it as "unseemly." Hence, Tipton's letter to the House ethics committee, in which he writes, "I believe [the e-mails] to be an improper use of my name and I would like to apologize and assure you that it will not happen again. If there are any other measures that must be taken in this regard please let me know and I will be happy to do so."

Meanwhile, Tipton spokesman Josh Green offered this statement on the matter: "Nancy Pelosi sent her top lap-dog to Colorado last week to fire-up the rumor mill with this cheap Washington political attack on a 22-year-old girl. They are stooping to sleazy political attacks on Scott Tipton's daughter rather than engaging on the issues facing the American people."

Said lap-dog was Hoyer, who "was in Colorado last week showing support for a number of people who could be running for the third congressional district," Green added. "Right after his visit, we started to hear the rumors tick up. That's just kind of a coincidence."

It's also hooey, according to Hoyer's office -- and the folks at Colorado Pols think these attempts at distraction suggest greater problems:

Our first thoughts went right back to Rep. Scott McInnis' wife on the payroll. An additional degree of separation or two, but still, as you can see, family business -- and not just immediate family, either! Tipton was already looking vulnerable enough on hard policy issues: the last thing he needs is an honest-to-God ethics problem dripping in the background.

And just so we're clear, folks, you don't send contrite explanations to the House Ethics Committee about your daughter's job unless you've got a problem.

Wishful thinking? Or a chink in Tipton's armor?

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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