Nixon Hides from Sunshine Law, Fails to Detail Dealings with Ethics Panel

Nixon Hides from Sunshine Law, Fails to Detail Dealings with Ethics Panel

            JEFFERSON CITY _ Despite self-serving claims that he supports openness in government, Jay Nixon is refusing to honor a Sunshine Law request to shed light on his claims that he represented the Missouri Ethics Commission before the Missouri Supreme Court even though he was never authorized to do so.

            Even though Missouri Ethics Commission members and the panel’s executive director have said Nixon was never approved to be the group’s lawyer in a case on campaign contribution limits, Nixon is claiming attorney-client privilege in refusing to honor the Missouri Republican Party Sunshine Law request.

            The Missouri Republican Party’s September 4 Sunshine Law request sought detailed records of Nixon’s alleged role on behalf of the Ethics Commission but Nixon’s office responded by providing routine court filings, emails, and a refusal to release further information because: “Documents that reflect communications between the Missouri Ethics Commission and this office constitute attorney-client communications.” Even more ominous is Nixon’s claim that:  “There are additional documents that may be responsive but are closed under Section 610.021 (1).”

            “Jay Nixon was never authorized by the Ethics Commission to act as their attorney before the Missouri Supreme Court therefore there is no attorney-client privilege and that is why Nixon should turn these records over immediately so Missourians can understand the true nature of his role in this case,” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party. “Nixon’s legal double talk shouldn’t be allowed to hide the facts from the people of Missouri and the media.”