What will happen next to Rep. Thomas Wright?

Assuming he doesn't resign from office any time soon, Wright will face something akin to a trial in the legislature. Here are the steps, according to Robin Johnson, general counsel to Speaker Joe Hackney:

1. The Joint Legislative Ethics Committee meets behind closed doors to discuss whether there is probable cause to consider expelling Wright. This is similar to a grand jury.

2. If the committee determines there is probable cause, it sends a letter to Wright about it. That letter may or may not be public, Johnson said.

3. Any time between 30 and 90 days after the letter is sent, the committee holds a hearing to hear from witnesses and subpoenas records. Wright is allowed to defend himself and cross-examine witnesses. Hackney said the hearing would be public.

4. After the hearings, the committee decides whether it has probable cause to expel Wright, dismiss all charges or censure him.

5. The House would then vote to confirm those findings. The Senate would not need to vote on the matter.

Update: A spokesman for Hackney said legislative staffers are still researching whether the letter to Wright would be public.