Laramie County Sheriff Launches Probe Into Alleged Legislative Bribery

Investigation follows reports of checks handed out to Wyoming lawmakers on the House floor.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Laramie County Sheriff's Office has launched a criminal bribery investigation after receiving community complaints and a witness account from a state representative about checks being distributed to Wyoming lawmakers on the floor of the state House of Representatives. The sheriff's office says the investigation was prompted by the allegations and will be conducted separately from any internal legislative reviews.

Why it matters

The allegations of potential bribery or improper campaign contributions to state lawmakers raise serious concerns about the integrity of the legislative process in Wyoming. A thorough investigation by law enforcement is warranted to determine the facts and ensure public trust in the state government.

The details

According to reports, a Teton County GOP committeewoman named Rebecca Bextel was seen handing out checks to lawmakers on the House floor after a session on Monday. Bextel claimed the checks were lawful campaign contributions from Teton County donors, but Rep. Karlee Provenza [D-Albany County] reported witnessing the incident and raised concerns. The Wyoming House of Representatives has also voted unanimously to launch its own internal investigation into the matter.

  • On Monday, checks were allegedly handed out to lawmakers on the House floor after adjournment.
  • On Thursday, the Wyoming House voted unanimously to investigate the incident.
  • On Saturday, the Laramie County Sheriff's Office announced the launch of a criminal bribery investigation.

The players

Laramie County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency conducting a criminal investigation into the alleged distribution of checks to Wyoming lawmakers.

Rep. Karlee Provenza

A Democratic state representative from Albany County who reported witnessing the distribution of checks to lawmakers on the House floor.

Rebecca Bextel

A Teton County GOP committeewoman who allegedly handed out the checks, claiming they were lawful campaign contributions.

Rep. Daniel Singh

A Republican state representative from Laramie County who commented on the Wyoming House's decision to launch its own investigation.

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What they’re saying

“Our community deserves full transparency, and alleged criminal conduct involving our lawmakers deserves no less than a thorough investigation.”

— Sheriff Brian Kozak (Laramie County Sheriff's Office)

“The decision to create a committee to investigate was unanimous. When serious allegations like this are made we need to address them. We should look at the facts.”

— Rep. Daniel Singh, R-Laramie County (Townsquare Media)

What’s next

The Laramie County Sheriff's Office says it will coordinate with local, state, and federal authorities as the investigation progresses, and will provide its findings to the Laramie County District Attorney's Office for review.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legislative process and ensuring that lawmakers are held accountable for any potential misconduct. The community's trust in the state government is at stake, and a thorough and transparent investigation is crucial to upholding democratic principles.