Indicted Mo. lawmaker says he will remain in the Legislature

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A state lawmaker indicted for bank and credit card fraud said Thursday that he will remain in the Legislature while fighting the charges in court.

Democratic Rep. John Bowman, of north St. Louis County, and 16 others are accused of fraudulently applying for business credit cards at Bank of America, then using those cards to rack up more than $1.2 million in charges.

"I will be exonerated, and I'll have my day in court," Bowman said in a brief interview in his Capitol office, where he returned for the first time since the federal grand jury indictment was unsealed Monday.

Bowman, 50, declined to discuss details of the case, citing advice from his attorney.

Bowman serves on the powerful House Budget Committee and the Special Committee on Rural Community Development. He has also been the chairman of the legislative Black Caucus since last spring.

He said no one has asked him to pare down his legislative duties, but he is considering it.

House Speaker Rod Jetton, who has the power to reject committee assignments and name House members to special committees, said he sympathizes with Bowman and has no plans to remove him from any committees.

"As far as we're concerned, until he's found guilty, he's an innocent guy, and we're happy to work with him," Jetton, R-Marble Hill, said.

The indictment, requested by U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway in St. Louis, alleges that former Bank of America Vice President Robert Conner recruited Bowman and several others to apply for small-business credit cards and then received $2,500 to $5,000 kickback payments.

According to the indictment, Bowman met with Conner in January 2006 in a Chesterfield branch office and submitted a fraudulent application for Bowman Consulting.

A document filed with the secretary of state's office shows Bowman registered Bowman's Consulting on April 7.

Bowman is accused of using the fraudulently obtained credit card for a $4,050 cash advance and to buy more than $1,000 worth of items.

An attorney for Conner also maintains that his client is innocent.