A Republican central committeeman covertly filmed the head of Idaho's GOP in an effort to bolster his claims that a secret society had been formed to oust certain members from party positions. The video didn't reveal direct evidence of a secret society, but did show the top GOP official criticizing prominent Republicans.
The Post Register reports that Bonneville GOP Chairman Doyle Beck released footage of party Chairman Steve Yates on Thursday.
Earlier this month, a judge quashed a petition — filed by Beck and fellow central committeeman Bryan Smith — that would have forced Yates and others to give depositions about involvement in a possible secret society, known as the Idaho Prosperity Project.
In the recording, Yates denies being involved with the group and is shown criticizing Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, the state's top business lobbying arm and other GOP members.
Yates now says he was intentionally playing head games with Beck.