A Cole County judge on Wednesday dismissed a whistleblower lawsuit against the Missouri House and its Republican leader that alleged harassment and intimidation of a top staffer.
The lawsuit was filed in May by House Chief Clerk Dana Miller, accusing outgoing House Speaker Dean Plocher and his former chief of staff, Rod Jetton, of retaliating against her and trying to get her removed from her job. At the heart of the lawsuit were swirling allegations about misconduct by Plocher and a House Ethics Committee investigation that ultimately was dismissed as the chairwoman released documents accusing Plocher of obstruction.
In a pair of one-page orders issued Wednesday by Cole County Associate Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe, the lawsuit against Plocher and the House were dismissed. Miller's attorneys dismissed Jetton from the lawsuit earlier this year.
Neither Miller nor Plocher could be immediately reached for comment.
Plocher, who in August finished fourth in the GOP primary for secretary of state and is leaving office next month because of term limits, became embroiled in controversy last year when he was accused of engaging in "unethical and perhaps unlawful conduct" as part of his monthslong push to get the House to award an $800,000 contract to a private company to manage constituent information.
A month later, the Independent reported Plocher had on numerous occasions during the last five years illegally sought taxpayer reimbursement from the Legislature for airfare, hotels...
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