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Ethics Commission Clears Rep. Graham

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Ethics Commission has cleared Rep. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, on a complaint he ran for office while continuing to work for the University of Missouri.

Andrew Charles, then a board member of Services for Independent Living, filed the complaint in November 1997.

Graham worked as MU's Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, a position he took leave from while running for office in 1996. The position was then subcontracted to SIL, a nonprofit entity, where Graham worked after leaving MU.

"I really question how much of an investigation the state did," Charles said. "They did not check out any eyewitnesses to some of the allegations that were made, and in my mind, the ethics commission should disband."

Despite the outcome, Charles said he's glad the investigation is over.

"I did what, in my own conscience, I thought was the right thing to do as a board member," he said. "I would do it again if I had to."

A political candidate may not work for the university while seeking office. Charles alleged Graham's work for the subcontractor SIL was unethical, since he essentially continued working for MU.

Graham could not be reached for comment Thursday evening. He has previously denied any unethical conduct.