Tim Jones seeks investigation of Koster; Democrats say little

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JOAN GUMMELS

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster

Jacob Kirn

Digital Producer- St. Louis Business Journal

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Former Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones is suggesting legislative investigations of Attorney General Chris Koster's office could come, while high-profile Democrats so far have said little.

An article published in Wednesday's New York Times shows that Koster put a stop to an investigation of 5-Hour Energy after a lobbyist for the company reached out to him.

The lobbying firm, it turns out, had given Koster thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. The report also detailed questionable relationships with Pfizer and AT&T.

Interview requests left at Koster's office have thus far not been answered.

Instead, Koster said in a statement Wednesday, "Contrary to the inferences contained in today's New York Times article, this office reviews each case on its merits. We have taken legal action against Pfizer at least six times and have taken legal action against AT&T at least twice. Together, these cases have resulted in millions of dollars on behalf of Missouri consumers. Currently, Missouri is among the 44 states in the country that have not filed suit against 5 Hour Energy.

"Today's article in the New York Times misrepresents the facts, distorting events to create an appearance of impropriety where none exists."

Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat like Koster, has not yet responded to a request for comment. U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, also a Democrat, said in a statement, "I'm confident Attorney General Koster is taking seriously the issues highlighted by this story."

Jones, though, said in a statement, "I am deeply disturbed by the multiple examples of apparent pay-to-play schemes uncovered by the New York Times, and am currently examining the options we have as a legislative body to further investigate these allegations and ensure that Attorney General Koster is held accountable for his actions."