Poplar Bluff councilman urged to resign because of nepotism allegation

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff City Council member was asked to step down Monday after claims of nepotism.

Mayor pro tem Jack Rushin violated state law when he voted with other council members to include his first cousin in the appointments to the city hall feasibility committee, said attorney John Scott.

Greg West, Rushin's cousin, was one of eight residents named to the committee Feb. 25 by a vote of the council, Scott wrote in letters he said were faxed Monday to city hall and the city attorney, Robert Smith.

Messages left for Rushin on Monday were not returned.

Smith confirmed the city received the letter.

"We are looking into it and seeing what action needs to be taken," Smith said.

The Missouri constitution forbids any public officer or employee from appointing a relative within the fourth degree to any public office, Scott wrote in the letters. He said his firm represents a Poplar Bluff resident.

The constitution states: "Any public officer or employee in this state, who by virtue of his office or employment, names or appoints to public office or employment any relative within the fourth degree shall thereby forfeit his office or employment," Scott said.

This provision applies to unpaid and voluntary positions, he said.

"As such, my client respectfully requests that you immediately resign your position with the Poplar Bluff City Council," Scott said.

The city hall feasibility committee has been tasked with working with architects to review options for the repair or replacement of city hall.

The motion approved by council members Feb. 25 stated the committee was established to "determine the best manner to proceed in regards to the city hall," and the individuals named were "fit and proper persons" to serve on the committee.

The committee, including West, met for the first time March 26. At that time, West was a proponent of keeping city offices downtown.

City hall has problems with its roof, electrical and plumbing systems and other issues, according to architects.