Thursday, April 19, 2007

Nodler says he was unaware of Farber contributions when he suggested his nomination to Highway Commission

Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, says he had no idea about Neosho banker Rudy Farber's many campaign contributions when he recommended him to the governor for the Highway Commission slot.
Farber was approved by the Senate Gubernatorial Nominations Committee Wednesday, and his nomination is likely to be voted on by the Senate today. His nomination came under fire after it was revealed in Fired Up Missouri, the Columbia Daily Tribune political blog, The Turner Report, and later in other media sources that Farber contributed $50,000 to Governor Matt Blunt's campaign just two weeks before the governor nominated him.

"I am the person who recommended him (to Blunt) several months ago," said Nodler, R-Joplin, who also has received campaign contributions from Farber.

Nodler said he was unaware of Farber's contributions when he made the recommendation. He said Farber is a "generous benefactor" of charities and humanitarian causes, and that the nomination was "totally exclusive of any fund-raising" issues.



The Turner Report had already noted that Farber had contributed the top amount possible to the governor in previous years when contribution limits were still in effect. The $50,000 contribution came to light Monday after the governor filed his April disclosure report with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

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