AP analysis: Nixon was kept in the dark about e. coli situation

An analysis by AP reporter Chris Blank concludes that Gov. Jay Nixon was kept in the dark about a report that indicated e. coli levels at the Lake of the Ozarks were at an unsafe level:

Information about E. coli at the lake trickled from the Department of the Natural Resources into the governor's office. At least one Cabinet member, two gubernatorial aides and Nixon's chief of staff knew something was up, but the governor did not.

It is an example of a widespread communication failure in Nixon's administration, or it's a possible example of plausible deniability, in which top officials are shielded from potentially damag

ing or embarrassing information.