Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Dec. 11 hearing scheduled in Isle of Capri case



A request by two Missouri lawmakers and a lobbyist for a change of judge and change of venue in the Isle of Capri case will be taken up during a 3 p.m. Dec. 11 hearing in Cooper County Circuit Court.

Sen. Jeff Smith, D. St. Louis, Rep. Joseph Aull, D-Marshall, and lobbyist Lynne Schlosser, did not show for a Nov 20 hearing, according to court records. Only Aull was represented by an attorney, Robert Walker Russell, at the hearing, which was primarily was to determine if there should be a continuance for a scheduled Nov. 28 hearing.

Smith, Aull and former Isle of Capri lobbyist Lynne Schlosser pleaded not guilty during their Nov. 6 arraignments. According to authorities, Smith, at Ms. Schlosser's suggestion, used Aull's identification to gamble, a violation of state law.

As noted in the Sept. 25 Turner Report:

Smith, Aull, Aull's wife Candee, Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence, Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, and Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia, were having a night out on the town at the expense of a lobbyist representing a special interest with a stake in numerous bills that will come before the legislature during the 2008 session.

Chris Liese, a former state representative from St. Louis, and now a lobbyist for Isle of Capri spent $910 wining and dining the legislators and Mrs. Aull on July 31, according to Missouri Ethics Commission documents. A total of $130 was spent on "meals, food, and beverage" for each person, the documents indicate.


Ms. Schlosser was fired by Isle of Capri shortly after the incident.

Smith is being represented by lobbyist and longtime Missouri Democratic Party powerhouse Joe Bednar, a partner with the powerful Armstrong Teasdale law firm.
Bednar served as chief counsel to Governors Mel Carnahan and Roger Wilson and is also a registered lobbyist representing Ameren UE, Centene Corporation, St. Louis University, Devry, and BJC Health Systems, as well as Armstrong Teasdale.

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