AG wants prosecutor out because of sex allegation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Attorney General Jay Nixon filed court papers Friday seeking to remove a central Missouri prosecutor for allegedly using his office telephone to solicit sex in return for legal services.

Nixon is seeking to remove Stephen Concannon, of Morgan County, on claims he violated a state law by patronizing prostitution and by using county resources to make the solicitation.

Circuit Court Judge James Franklin on Friday gave Concannon seven days to respond. A hearing could be held as early as next week, Nixon's office said.

Concannon, 32, a first-term prosecutor, did not immediately return a telephone message left Friday at his Versailles office. He lost a November re-election bid.

Even though Concannon's term is to end Jan. 1, Nixon's office said it was important that quick action be taken.

"The taxpayers of Morgan County should not have to tolerate having this person in office any longer than they have to," said Nixon spokesman Scott Holste.

Nixon's office said Concannon engaged in Internet discussions from Monday to Wednesday with an undercover officer of the Livingston County Sheriff's Department who was posing as a woman.

Concannon allegedly asked the woman to call him at the prosecutor's office. Then during the phone conversation, he asked for sex in exchange for providing legal help in her divorce, Nixon said.

On Thursday, Concannon went to meet the woman at a Wal-Mart parking lot in Chillicothe but instead was confronted by Livingston County sheriff's officers, Nixon said.

Nixon's court papers only seek Concannon's removal from office and do not charge him with a crime. Any charges would be up to Livingston County prosecutor Doug Roberts, who said he would review the case next week.