Missouri lawmaker says he helps others hide lobbyist gifts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- An ethics complaint has been filed against a Missouri House member who says he has helped other lawmakers hide lobbyist gifts from required public reporting.

Liberal advocacy group Progress Missouri's executive director Sean Nicholson said Tuesday he filed a complaint against Republican Rep. Craig Redmon of Canton.

Lobbyists are required to publicly report meals and other gifts provided to lawmakers.

Redmon said he sometimes has told people to put under his name expenses that actually were made for others. He says that shields other legislators, particularly those concerned with reporting any lobbyist gifts.

Nicholson says that practice would be deceptive and wrong.

It's unclear whether lobbyists actually have reported expenses made on behalf of other lawmakers as if they were for Redmon.