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Ethics complaint filed against the ‘Godfather’ of Missouri Democrat politics

January 11, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Republican Party today announced that it was filing a complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission against John Temporiti for violating the state’s lobbyist registration requirements.

The MOGOP’s action comes after a St Louis Post Dispatch story in which Temporiti admitted to lobbying on behalf of Holiday Inn and an unnamed Atlanta company.  Temporiti has failed to report these principals on his lobbyist reports.

This is just the latest ethical red flag to be raised regarding Temporiti, who was once compared to the ‘Godfather’ after it was revealed that he attempted to strong-arm St. Louis County Council-members.

“For years, an ethical cloud has hung over John Temporiti, but Democrats like Jay Nixon and Charlie Dooley continue to regard him as a close friend and confidante,” said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party.  “Nixon and Dooley have exhibited appalling judgment by placing John Temporiti in positions of power and looking the other way while he brazenly violates the public’s trust.”

Temporiti’s influence extends from the Governor’s Office to St. Louis County.  Jay Nixon recently appointed him to the Missouri Housing Development Commission, and he currently serves as the treasurer of Charlie Dooley’s campaign committee.  Temporiti is also the former Chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party and former Deputy County Executive under Charlie Dooley.

Temporiti’s ethics problems have been the subject of several recent media reports.  In addition to his failure to register as a lobbyist:

• Temporiti attempted to strong-arm two St. Louis County Council-members to vote for a contract that would benefit his son’s employer (Post-Dispatch, September 26, 2009).  This report prompted Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan to compare Temporiti to The Godfather.

• St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley reportedly scheduled a meeting with his department heads at Temporiti’s law firm in an attempt to shake-down county contractors for campaign contributions. (Post-Dispatch, September 19, 2009)

• Temporiti lobbied in favor of a Dooley-backed St. Louis County trash district proposal.  Not surprisingly, one of the companies that ultimately cashed-in on the plan was represented by Temporiti’s law firm.  (Post-Dispatch, December 18, 2007)

A copy of the MOGOP complaint can be viewed here.

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