If Speaker Rod Jetton was hoping that the Missouri Ethics Commission would bless his "consulting" arrangement with Senator Jason Crowell today, he certainly must be disappointed. Instead, Commissioners expressed serious sketicism about the propriety of the matter.

In a unanimous vote this morning, the Missouri Ethics Commission declined to render a formal opinion on the legality of Speaker Rod Jetton's consulting business, instead referring his request for an opinion over to outside counsel for additional legal consultation.

In board discussion prior to the vote, Ethics Commissioners expressed serious reservations regarding Jetton's "consulting" arrangement with Crowell.

One commissioner called the arrangement, "very risky." Another said Jetton was "taking his life in his hands" by his actions.

Jetton sought an Ethics Commission ruling in a February 21, 2006 letter to the Commission staff [0].

Outside counsel was directed to report back to the Commission at the next meeting.