Two clients cut ties to Jetton's firm

Two consulting clients distanced themselves from former House Speaker Rod Jetton, with one saying he never intends to hire Jetton again even if assault charges filed this week don't result in a conviction.

Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, said he stopped using the services of Jetton's consulting firm, Rod Jetton & Associates, soon after winning re-election last year in the seven-county 25th District. The victory was the last election Mayer was eligible for because of term limits.

"We had no campaign on the horizon and we decided we could take care of our own fundraising," Mayer said.

Jetton was charged Monday with second-degree assault, a felony. Through his attorney, Stephen C. Wilson of Cape Girardeau, Jetton has denied the charges. Jetton did not return a call Wednesday.

He announced Tuesday that he was closing his consulting business, which mainly helped Republican candidates and business groups. The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday that Jetton told state Rep. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, that the vice president of his firm, Eric Brooks, would open a new consulting firm and continue to provide campaign services.

Mayer paid Jetton's firm $72,825.31, according to reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission since Jan. 1, 2008. Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, "I would not hire him for a future campaign," Mayer said.

House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville and another Jetton client, said Wednesday that he was severing ties to Jetton but did not rule out rehiring the former speaker if he wins acquital.

"These are very serious charges and our legal system must handle them," Tilley said in a statement issued from his Jefferson City office. "Each of us is innocent until proven guilty, however if these accusations are true I can assure you that my office will have nothing to do with someone convicted of these charges."

According to reports filed with the Ethics Commission, Tilley's campaign fund paid Jetton's firm $48,806.22 since the consulting relationship began.

Tilley was one of 15 lawmakers who used Jetton's consulting firm this year, according to Ethics Commission reports.

In an interview, Tilley said he had not considered whether he would renew the consulting relationship if Jetton is acquitted and returns to the business. He also said he has not thought about which consultant he will hire to replace Jetton.

"I haven't even got that far, either," Tilley said. "I am sure there are a lot of different consultants across the state to look at based on ability and merits."

Jetton is charged with assaulting a woman during a Nov. 15 sexual encounter at her home in Sikeston, Mo. In the probable-cause affidavit from Sikeston Department of Public Safety detective Bethany McDermott, a Sikeston resident alleged that Jetton gave the woman a glass of wine and she started "fading" in and out of consciousness. The woman told investigators that Jetton struck her in the face and she lost consciousness. When she awoke she was being choked, and later she awoke again with Jetton having intercourse with her.

Tilley declined to comment on his reaction to the charges except to say that "obviously he is a friend of mine and I hope things turn out well for him."

Mayer, who was in Jefferson City this week for work on the upcoming state budget, said he was "saddened and disappointed" to hear about the charges. "I am certain the judicial system will make a right and just determination on his guilt or innocence."

rkeller@semissourian.com

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