Governor Matt Blunt’s Chief of Staff Ed Martin again points an accusatory finger at Attorney General Jay Nixon over the handling of the case involving electric utility Ameren and the December, 2005, collapse of the Taum Sauk Reservoir.
Martin had requested the opportunity to testify before the Public Service Commission as the PSC considers a rate increase request from Ameren. That request has been denied. And, Martin says Attorney General Nixon is at least partly to blame.
Meeting with reporters at the State Capitol, Martin read the testimony he would have given to the PSC had he been allowed to address the panel. Martin claims the Attorney General or his campaign requested campaign contributions from Ameren when the threat of criminal action over Taum Sauk was first being considered.
Furthermore, Martin says Ameren’s desire to do what the Attorney General wants in order to avoid criminal charges could lead to higher rates for Ameren customers.
Martin, a lawyer, says Nixon’s actions raise both ethical and legal questions. "Anybody knows," said Martin, "That law enforcement cannot take money or gifts from suspects or investigative targets."
"Everyone knows," he continued, "That it is wrong for a police officer or deputy to take money at a traffic stop."
"After all," concluded Martin, "We all know that the prosecutor in a case cannot ask the target of the investigation for money."
Following Martin’s press availability, a group of reporters marched from the Capitol to the Attorney General’s office to ask for Nixon’s response. Officials in Nixon’s office said the Attorney General is not available for comment. But the office did issue a four-sentence written statement accusing Governor Blunt of engaging in politics.
Download/Listen: Chief of Staff Ed Martin’s News Conference (30:00 MP3)
