"Blunt is completly in the wrong" says Cardetti
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"Blunt is completly in the wrong" says Cardetti

Date: October 31, 2007
By: Amy Becker
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  After a he said/she said battle between fired lawyer Scott Eckersley and Governor Matt Blunt's office, Democratic Spokesman Jack Cardetti says it is very easy to prove who is telling the truth.

Amy Becker has more from the state Capitol.

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Eckersley has said in interviews the true reason he was fired was because he told Blunt's staff destroying government emails was illegal and violated Missouri open records laws.

Blunt denied he received such advice from Eckersley and said he was fired based on his work performance and that he did private work for a separate company.

Cardetti says at the end of the day Blunt needs to come clean and let the public know exactly what advice Eckersley gave him and the real reason he was fired.

Actuality:  JACK6.WAV
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Description: That's a very easy thing to prove.  There will be emails and memos that he either submitted or wrote to other people that prove he either did or did not give them advice on that subject.

Eckersley admits he did do private work but said he had approval from Chief Counsel Henry Herschel.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker, KMOX news.

 

Intro: Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti says after firing lawyer Scott Eckersley, Governor Blunt's office has participated in some of the nastiest character assassinations he has ever seen in Missouri politics.

Amy Becker has more from the state Capitol.

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Eckersley said he was fired because he pointed out Blunt's office was violating open records law by deleting emails, Blunt staff say he was fired for other reasons.

One claim is Eckersley accessed pornographic websites from his state email address, a claim reminiscent of the Fred Farrell sexual harassment case where Heather Elder was also accused of misusing her state computer.

Cardetti says this tactic seems to be a favorite play of the Blunt administration.

Actuality:  JACK4.WAV
Run Time: 00:15
Description: You know it's sad that in these scandals, the Blunt Administration doesn't own up to the truth and let everyone know what happened.  Instead they follow a very specific playbook and it's usually aimed at discrediting the person who is alleging the illegal activity.

Richard AuBuchon, chief counsel for the Office of Administration, says there is no evidence Eckersley ever accessed an adult website from his state computer.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker.

Intro: Following the Blunt/Eckersley controversy, Democratic Spokesman Jack Cardetti says the Blunt administration can put the scandal to rest with one simple move.

Amy Becker has more from the state Capitol.

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Cardetti says all Blunt's staff has to do is come clean and let the public know what advice his lawyer gave him and the real reason why they fired Eckersley.

In what Cardetti calls the "worst case of character assassination he's ever seen in Missouri politics," he says the governor needs to release Eckersley from his attorney/client privilege so they can show documents they have to prove exactly what happened.

Actuality:  JACK5.WAV
Run Time: 00:09
Description: They are intent on sending out cherry  picking information sending it out to the media trying to discredit this guy, they should send all the information out to the public so we can take a look at this.

Eckersley's attorney Steve Garner requested access to all documents related to the firing but was refused by Blunt Chief Counsel Henry Herschel.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker KMOX news.