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Nixon defends top aide accused of abusing position

June 23, 2009

Claims he is “looking forward” to cleaning up neighborhood, though he failed to do so as A.G.

KSDK’s Mike Owens yesterday investigated a top Nixon aide who has been accused of abusing his position to influence the outcome of lawsuit filed by his business. The aide, Rex Burlison, refused to answer the questions, even after Owens told him (on camera): “you were using your position as an official of the state of Missouri to affect how this lawsuit was heard.” Burlison said the charge was “outrageous.” Nixon defended Burlison and said he knew nothing about the case—although documents show that he was subpoenaed.

(Watch the full report)

Owens asked Nixon about the crime that is endemic on property owned by Burlison. Nixon chalked it up to the business being in a “bad neighborhood” and said he was “looking forward” to cleaning up the area.

Looking forward to it?

Jay Nixon has had ample time to fix the problem, but he did not. Nixon was Attorney General of Missouri (calling himself the state’s “chief law enforcement officer”) for 16 years, from 1993-2009. During that time, the city of St Louis has consistently ranked one of the nation’s most dangerous cities—and by 2006, it was ranked the most dangerous. (Morgan Quitno/CQ Press)

These rankings are disputed by the city’s leaders, but the fact remains: For 16 years, Jay Nixon was unable or unwilling to fix the crime problem in St. Louis. Suddenly, he’s “looking forward” to it?

We don’t buy it…