The Missouri Republican Party and State Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-Willard) filed a lawsuit yesterday against the Missouri Ethics Commission for violating of the Sunshine Law when the commission met earlier this month to discuss campaign finance contributions.

The lawsuit filed in Cole County Circuit Court alleges that the Ethics Commission violated the Sunshine Law on September 11 by holding a closed meeting to discuss matters that its notice, tentative agenda and approved agenda stated would be discussed in open meeting, by closing a meeting without valid legal reasons and by holding a closed session that was not limited to the matters that could be discussed in closed meeting. The lawsuit also says the commission and commissioners “knowingly” and “purposely” violated the Sunshine Law by discussing policy matters which should have been discussed openly with the public having an opportunity to comment.

The Missouri Republican Party is seeking a temporary restraining order followed by preliminary and permanent injunctions prohibiting the Ethics Commission and its Commissioners and its agents from implementing any decision made in connection with the meeting and is seeking a court order voiding all actions taken by the Ethics Commission at the meeting and any actions taken by staff of the Ethics Commission pursuant to directions received at that meeting.

“The Missouri Ethics Commission blatantly violated the Sunshine Law by meeting in secret and denying Missourians their right to be informed about a significant public policy decision that affects the lives of thousands of contributors and candidates. The MEC’s actions run contrary to the notion of open government and that is why Missouri Republicans have stepped up and filed this lawsuit,” said Jared Craighead, executive director of the Missouri Republican Party.

“The Ethics Commission’s violation of the Sunshine Law tarnishes a campaign finance system already damaged by Jay Nixon’s collusion to tank the defense of a new law that injected transparency into the system.”

Still fuming over Senator Chris Koster’s defection to the blue team, the Missouri Republican Party today issued a statement calling on the former GOP senate leader to return the hundreds of thousands of dollars he raised as a Republican.

“The Missouri Republican Party’s telephone lines in Jefferson City have been ringing off-the hook since Koster turned his back on Republicans who not only gave their money to Koster but also sacrificed their time and energy on his behalf over the years,” read the statement.

“The hard working people of Cass County have been betrayed by Chris Koster and we are demanding that he return our hard-earned money so that it can used to support real Republicans instead of being used by a charlatan and turncoat like this disgrace of a senator,” said Ronald Johnson, the Cass County Republican Committee chairman who’s committee has donated over $4,000 to Koster over the years.

“Koster smashed a solemn trust and if he has one shred of decency or moral character left, then he should return every penny he took from us,” he continued.

The MRP also continues to call on Koster to resign his Senate seat. GOP Communications Director Paul Sloca said Koster should run as a Democrat in a special election.

“The voters of the 31st Senatorial District have a right to expect him to resign his seat,” said Sloca.

“While Koster resumes accepting donations from his liberal friends in Big Labor and among his fellow trial attorneys, his once loyal and hard-working Republican supporters are being left out in the cold both financially and politically.”