Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher faced scrutiny over allegations of misconduct, including threats against witnesses and obstruction of an ethics committee inquiry. In his first public comments since the accusations surfaced, Plocher sat down for an interview with Scott Faughn, a vocal supporter and owner of The Missouri Times. The investigation was sparked by Plocher’s push for a questionable $800,000 contract and alleged retaliation against staff who raised concerns. Despite a public report admonishing Plocher for obstructing the investigation, he has remained tight-lipped on the matter, attributing the delays in resolving the issue to the committee.
Plocher, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Missouri secretary of state, maintained a strong fundraising lead prior to the scandals emerging. However, his campaign contributions have dwindled amid the controversies, with only $15,000 raised this year. The House Ethics Committee report also highlighted further allegations of threats made against legislative employees during the investigation.
While Plocher has not directly addressed the accusations of obstruction, the report suggests a culture of fear and retaliation instigated by the speaker. Despite leading in fundraising among his Republican opponents, Plocher’s reputation has been tarnished by the ongoing scandals. The interview with Faughn shed little light on the investigation, as Plocher’s focus remained on the duration of the inquiry rather than addressing the substantive allegations.
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