Ethics complaint filed over state fee office contract

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

Former state representative Martin "Bubs" Hohulin is at the center of a complaint that Governor Matt Blunt was rewarding political friends with contracts as Missouri Revenue fee agents. The Missouri Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission against Blunt charging that awarding the contract for the Lamar Missouri Revenue Fee office was illegal. According to press accounts the contract has not yet been awarded, Hohulin is still contemplating whether or not to accept it.

The complaint lists Blunt, Hohulin, and Missouri Department of Revenue Director Trish Vincent and alleges that the three are in violation of a state law that bars elected officials or appointed state employees from performing any service for any agency of the state in excess of $500 per transaction or $1,500 per year unless the contract has been bid and the person getting it was the lowest bidder.

Hohulin formerly represented the state's 126th district, elected in 1990, when the district included parts of Vernon County (later redistricting put all of Vernon County in the 125th District). He is nowan employee of State Senator Carl Vogel. Democrats contend that this employment bars Hohulin from accepting such a contract because it was awarded without bid.

"The law is very clear that state employees are not allowed to double dip from the taxpayers' pockets with no bid contracts like this," Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman, said. "He is not allowed to draw a second check from the taxpayers for a job 180 miles away."

Paul Sloca, a spokesman for Governor Matt Blunt, said the complaint is frivolous. "The Governor feels this is a totally baseless complaint," Sloca said. "It's unfortunate that we have so many frivolous lawsuits, and while this is not a lawsuit it will cost the taxpayers money."

Hohulin could did not return phone calls seeking comment on the matter; however, he told the Joplin Globe that no contract has been signed and no formal decision has been made relating to the Lamar office.

The press release from the Democratic Party lists several other Republicans who it says got early Christmas presents from Blunt. Among those listed were two former state representatives and several relatives of prominent Republicans.

The release also told about Representative Wayne Henke from Troy who has filed legislation, House Bill 541, which would end the political spoils system governors of both parties have used for years and give the proceeds to public schools.