We learned yesterday that the Missouri Ethics Commission effectively destroyed any credibility they may have enjoyed with the public and with elected officials. How could anyone with a case before the commission feel confident they’ll get a fair shake after yesterday’s decision not to investigate Chris Koster?

It’s ironic that an organization charged with making state government and politics transparent, hides behind not having enough members on the commission to take action.

It’s also ironic that one of the two members that recused himself is anonymous. In a case ripe with red flags, bells, and whistles, even Ray Charles and Helen Keller could have determined that attorney general elect Chris Koster and Nixon crony Chuck Hatfield, were involved in a nefarious scheme to circumvent the law by laundering campaign money!

While we lament the death of the Ethics Commission today, many have asked if mainstream journalism is not too far behind. Case in point, while a new attorney general celebrates his victory and prepares to take office in January with possibly tainted money, “Two Toes” Tony Messenger (“beat” reporter extraordinaire) is trying to extend his fifteen minutes of fame by writing about the Eckersley email affair – a story no one cares about anymore.

MOPNS FLASHBACK: (9/1/07) Decisions, Decisions…

Attorney Michael Kilgore: 2006 Democratic appointee to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Attorney Michael Kilgore, a fairly recent appointee to the Commission, is a fellow associate with “Judas” Chris Koster at the Dollar, Burns, & Becker law firm in Kansas City. Kilgore was appointed by the Governor in 2006 on Koster’s recommendation. It will be interesting to see which side he lands on. Does he vote to let the candidates keep the excess money, thus helping Koster, but hurting his old boss Jay Nixon? Or, does he vote to have them return the money, which helps Nixon but hurts his Dollar, Burns, & Becker colleague? Read more…

Related:

The Turner Report: Ethics Commission plans no further investigation into Koster money laundering investigation

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