Nixon digs in heels

Nixon digs in heels
Attorney general ignores call to leave Taum Sauk case.

Published Thursday, June 8, 2006

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon has no plans to recuse himself from the investigation into the Taum Sauk reservoir collapse after reports that Nixon’s campaign received contributions from the reservoir’s owner, Ameren Corp.

Earlier, Doyle Childers, Department of Natural Resources director, called for Nixon to leave the investigation, saying the $19,000 in contributions from the utility company were "highly improper."

Nixon attorney Edward Ardini sent a prompt reply to Childers, insisting Nixon will continue the Taum Sauk investigation and accusing Childers’ boss, Gov. Matt Blunt, of also having close ties to Ameren.

It’s not clear where the impasse is headed. DNR general counsel Kurt Schaefer said the agency is evaluating its options, and Blunt spokesman Spence Jackson said the governor is also formulating a response.

Nixon wouldn’t comment on the matter yesterday. He told the AP last week he wouldn’t be swayed by any Ameren contributions that made their way into his campaign fund.

Ameren Corp. made four contributions of $5,000 each to four Democratic country organizations in the St. Louis area between January and March. None of the groups had that much money on hand at the time. On March 31, all four gave nearly $5,000 each to Nixon’s campaign.

Federal investigators said in a recent report that Ameren knew of critical problems at Taum Sauk and delayed repairs that could have prevented the collapse.

Nixon was assigned as special prosecutor in the case and is the only authority who could press criminal charges against Ameren or file a lawsuit on behalf of the state. In April, Nixon told The Associated Press a lawsuit or criminal charges against Ameren were imminent. But he softened that last week, saying he had pulled back from litigation and was in discussions with the firm.

In a letter sent to Nixon late yesterday morning, Childers expressed frustration that Nixon hasn’t shared information about his investigation and seems to be pursuing a settlement agreement with Ameren behind closed doors.

"Given the shroud of secrecy that now surrounds your involvement in this case, coupled with the appearance of impropriety raised by these contributions, I hereby request that you fully recuse yourself from the matter," Childers wrote.

Ardini replied later yesterday, calling Childers’ message "both ill-informed and legally baseless."

Ardini wrote that Nixon will "continue the investigation into the Taum Sauk reservoir failure wherever it leads, and he will resolve the matter solely in the best interests of Missourians as he always has and always will during his time in office."

Ardini also included a number of accusations against Blunt, who is Nixon’s expected rival in the 2008 governor’s race. Ardini said Blunt takes contributions that originate with many companies regulated by the state and noted that Blunt’s brother is an Ameren lobbyist.