The Department of Natural Resources says Attorney General Jay Nixon has a conflict of interest in the Taum Sauk Reservoir case and should recuse himself. Nixon is representing the state in seeking payment from Taum Sauk’s owner, AmerenUE, for damages caused by the collapse. Childers says Nixon’s acceptance of almost $20,000 in campaign contributions from Ameren and his refusal to let DNR know what negotiations are going on with Ameren make Nixon unfit to continue representing DNR. No response from Nixon, although he had said earlier through a spokesman that he would not step away from the case.
