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Is the Nixon Administration turning into ‘Lord of the Flies?’

January 6, 2010

Jay Nixon rewards ANOTHER ethically-challenged aide

JEFFERSON CITY—Less than a week after speaking to reporters about ethics, Jay Nixon has appointed one of his ethically-challenged cronies to track and spend stimulus funds.  Dustin Allison, who was accused attempting to purchase the votes of at least two lawmakers during the 2009 legislative session, is Nixon’s choice to oversee the state’s spending of federal stimulus dollars.

“Jay Nixon has absolutely no shame,” said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. “Nixon has allowed members of his staff who intentionally mislead the press and the public to keep their jobs; he has rewarded his donors with the state’s most lucrative fee offices; and he has appointed his ethically-challenged friends to state boards and commissions. By promoting someone who attempted to bribe lawmakers to further his agenda, Nixon is continuing his pattern of rewarding his staff for their corrupt behavior.”

The two legislators later signed sworn affidavits stating that Allison offered jobs in exchange for their votes.  According to the affidavit, Allison claimed, “I’m prepared to make a deal right now.”

Allison is just one in a series of close Nixon advisors who have been accused of serious offenses.  Rex Burlison, director of Nixon’s St Louis office, has been accused of using his position with then-AG Nixon to influence the outcome of a private lawsuit.  Top Nixon aides Jeff Mazur and Jack Cardetti have admitted to withholding information from the public about dangerous levels of E coli in the Lake of the Ozarks.  But Nixon has taken no action in any of these cases.

“It is absolutely unacceptable to keep people who mislead the press and attempt to bribe legislators on the public payroll, especially when so many honest, hardworking Missourians have lost their jobs,”said Smith. “By looking the other way when his advisors are accused of criminal and ethical wrongdoing, Nixon has created a ‘Lord of the Flies’ administration where anything goes.”