CAPE HOME OF ONE OF FOUR AG BRANCH OFFICES

Missouri Attorney General Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon is recognizable to news watchers. He disperses legal opinions, handles high-profile state cases and conducts press conferences.

Two of Nixon's assistants, attorneys Vicky Anthony and Charmagne Schneider, aren't as recognizable, but they spend 12-hour days in the Cape Girardeau branch of the attorney general's office.

There are four branch offices, in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Cape Girardeau. The bulk of Nixon's staff is in Jefferson City.

"Having offices in outstate areas saves taxpayers money," Nixon said. "We don't have to travel all over the state. It's good for people to know there is a place they can go in Southeast Missouri to speak to their lawyer -- the attorney general."

Right now, the local assistant attorneys general, two of more than 150 statewide, have 3,600 active case files. Their office is at 2860 Kage Road, just off Mount Auburn Road.

Anthony started working at the branch in April 1993, when the office was in the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse basement.

Her background was in elementary education, but she received her law degree and worked briefly in private practice. She said the attorney general's office opened up opportunities for quick advancement.

"Before I started working here, I had no idea how expansive the attorney general's office was," Anthony, now office manager, said. "I don't think most people realize it, either."

The attorney general's office has six divisions, but Cape's branch deals with only the Labor Division and Consumer Protection Division.

The labor division takes in workers' compensation and Second Injury Fund cases. It's Anthony's job to be sure people who deserve to be compensated for on-the-job injuries get their money and that fraudulent claims are discovered. She also has to make sure those seeking Second Injury Fund dollars can document their initial injuries with medical records.

"It's a very exciting time for the Labor Division because of all the previous controversy regarding the Second Injury Fund," Anthony said. "Contracted counselors were handling fund cases before, Jay Nixon brought them in-house and made some stricter guidelines. It has brought credibility back to the fund and saved the taxpayers money."

She also fields about 20 calls each week regarding consumer fraud. Many are about home repairs, car warranties, charitable organizations and sales contracts.

The office has been busy warning people about holiday scams. Anthony said it's best for people to call her office before they sign a contract or make a donation, and they should never give their credit card numbers out over the phone.

"Call us in advance," she said. "People need to realize that our primary goal is to help the citizens of this state. We are available to help with their questions."

If the local attorneys general can't help, consumers can call the Consumer Protection Hotline in Jefferson City at 1-800-392-8222.

Other divisions handle litigation for all state agencies, state representation in felony criminal cases, representation of elected officials and representation of the Department of Natural Resources.