Jetton Speaks: "I don't want your money and even if I wanted it, I wouldn't take it"
The Post-Dispatch's Tony Messenger spoke with former Speaker Rod Jetton about the ongoing federal investigation into his actions regarding a 2005 anti-strip club bill. Jetton says he is "befuddled" as to why the FBI, his fellow Republicans and the public have had a hard time believing his denials that there was any connection between the strip club money and his official actions.
"There was a conversation with the lobbyist for the strip clubs, Kent Gaines, where he said they wanted to make a contribution to my political efforts," Jetton said. "I basically said I don't want your money and even if I wanted it, I wouldn't take it. I mean, I'm not stupid politically."
Jetton said Gaines never tried to tie the potential donation to any specific action on Bartle's bill...
"I really am befuddled how I can be looked at for this when I clearly know I never told anyone if they give me a donation I'd kill a bill," [Jetton] said. "I can think of a lot of occasions where I said I'm going to kill a bill or I'm going to pass a bill. But never have I told anyone if you'll give me money, I'll do this or that."
