KC Star series casts spotlight on Joplin company owners' attempts to sway legislation

The Kansas City Star series on the corrupting influence of money in Missouri government cast a spotlight on the Humphreys family of Joplin, which owns TAMKO:

Campaign cash flowed freely following legislative action this spring on how the state's judges are picked, The Star's investigation found.

Judicial nominees for the state supreme and appeals courts, along with some larger circuit courts, are vetted by commissions made up of lawyers, gubernatorial appointees and a sitting judge. But conservatives have assailed the process, arguing that it gives too much influence to trial attorneys.

At the forefront of the fight has been the Humphreys family, owners of Joplin-based Tamko Building Products Inc. Tamko makes roofing products and other building materials. The company has been named in numerous asbestos lawsuits and boasts of a "very aggressive" litigation strategy.

Some companies believe that, through the political process, they can put judges on the bench who are more conservative and sympathetic to corporations.

Jetton and other House leaders have courted the Humphreys family for years. According to a Jetton confidant, who asked not to be identified, Jetton set a goal at the start of his reign as speaker to cultivate the Humphreys family first as $50,000 donors and then elevate the family to $100,000.

Jetton said he has met with David Humphreys twice over the years at his office in Joplin.

"I went down ... and explained what we were doing. And I said, 'If you like what you've seen, we need you to help us out,' " Jetton recalled. "And he was like, 'I like it. I'll help you.' "