Missouri audit faults AG Koster on lobbyist policy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A state audit says Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster hasn’t adopted a policy to address concerns that he’s been influenced by lobbyist perks.

Koster was criticized after a New York Times article in October listed him among a group of attorneys general who were soft on companies facing litigation after receiving campaign contributions and perks.

Koster later promised not to accept lobbyist gifts and put a freeze on campaign contributions from organizations under investigation by his office.

But an audit released Tuesday says Koster hadn’t formally adopted those policies as of February.

Koster’s office says employees don’t know who donates to his campaign, and that gifts play no role in their legal decisions.

Koster is the only Democrat running for governor in 2016.

This story was originally published March 24, 2015 at 10:54 AM with the headline "Missouri audit faults AG Koster on lobbyist policy."