Topeka ? House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, on Tuesday urged an investigative committee to dismiss a misconduct complaint filed against him.

House Speaker Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, speaks Tuesday to the House Select Investigative Committee, about a misconduct complaint filed against him by House Democrats. O'Neal has denied any wrongdoing and urged the committee to dismiss the complaint.

O’Neal, speaking for more than two hours to the bi-partisan committee, said the charge against him was baseless and accused Democratic leaders who brought the complaint of misconduct.

“I have been defamed,” O’Neal said. “I have done nothing wrong. It is a disservice … to proceed any further.”

The committee took no action. It scheduled a meeting for Monday.

The dispute is over O’Neal, who is an attorney, representing trade groups and associations that are suing the state over an action taken by the Legislature last year to sweep fee funds from regulatory bodies to help balance the state budget.

O’Neal’s lawsuit seeks a court ruling to declare the $5 million in fee sweeps unconstitutional.

Democratic leaders filed a complaint saying O’Neal has created a conflict of interest by representing powerful interests who have business before the Legislature.

O’Neal says he has complied with all laws that allow legislator-attorneys to represent clients in actions against the state.