Missouri ethics panel: Lobbyists likely broke law when buying lawmaker meals

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Ethics Commission has found that lobbyists likely broke state laws requiring them to name lawmakers they buy meals for.

The commission issued letters of concern to seven lobbyists this past week regarding a Texas steak house dinner with legislators.

The lobbyists were among 15 who split a nearly $5,700 dinner bill for about 40 people – including five Missouri lawmakers – during last year’s annual American Legislative Exchange Council meeting.

The group provides model legislation for conservative lawmakers.

The commission says the Missouri lobbyists improperly reported the meal as being bought for the General Assembly but not all lawmakers were invited.

The Ethics Commission says the lobbyists believed all legislators had been invited and later corrected their reports to list the expenses as going toward individual lawmakers.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Missouri ethics panel: Lobbyists likely broke law when buying lawmaker meals."