FBI May Look At Pay-To-Play Connected With Bill Pushed By Crowell And Jetton

Yesterday in The Star, Jason Noble and Steve Kraske reported that Republican St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano has spoken with federal investigators about potential criminal activity involving the passage of 2005 legislation which prohibited the town from collecting revenues from a voter-approved 5% hotel tax. The bill was pushed by Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau), and Tim Drury, president of Drury Development Co. and supported by then-Speaker Rod Jetton.

Though the FBI spokespeople gave their standard refusal to comment on ongoing investigations, Pagano said the feds considered the issue "serious."

Pagano said he met with investigators at City Hall and provided documents concerning the hotel tax and the legislative action that overturned it.

"They kind of felt that this is serious and that they were going to bring it back and do a more thorough investigation," Pagano said.

During the conversation, Pagano said he mentioned former House speaker Rod Jetton, who he thought was the "driving force" in passing the legislation.

Lawmakers have told The Kansas City Star that federal agents have conducted numerous interviews this year in connection with an investigation into pay-for-play schemes in the statehouse. No charges have been filed.

Because of the legislation, the city was unable to collect the $400,000 it expected to collect to pay for the city's Rec-Plex and other local projects.

Image credit: EllenBrandom.com