Political scandal leads to resignations

Smith pleaded guilty to obstruction charges.

By Caroline Merten

Published Aug. 28, 2009

Correction appended

ST. LOUIS — State Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, and State Rep. Steve Brown, D-Clayton, both resigned from office and pled guilty Tuesday to federal charges of obstructing justice in relation to Smith's failed run for Congress in the 2004 election.

The guilty pleas of Smith, and Brown — who was his campaign manager at the time — put an end not only to what were considered to be promising political careers by many, but also to a five-year investigation by the Federal Election Commission over negative campaigning in Smith's 2004 Democratic primary loss to U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis. Carnahan went on to win the primary and the general election.

Carnahan spokeswoman Sara Howard said the congressman has mixed feeling about the way Smith’s career ended.

"On one hand it's very sad for a promising career, but on the other hand, the system worked," she said.

During the 2004 primary, thousands of postcards and fliers were passed out to residents of the Third District that were critical of Carnahan. Some of these materials claimed to be from the Web site www.rustycarnahan.org, while many claimed no source at all.

According to court documents, Carnahan's campaign then asked the FEC to investigate these fliers because it is illegal for congressional campaigns to contribute to independent political organizations. The FEC uncovered an organization called "Voters for Truth" which sponsored the site, but in a signed September 2004 affidavit, Smith said to his knowledge no one connected to his campaign had connections to the organization.

The probe was reopened in 2009, and Brown agreed to tape his conservations with Smith, Ohlsen, and Adams — the campaign's former treasurer. The taped conversations provided the needed evidence.

"We weren't fucking white knights here," Smith said. "None of us are going to get the fucking Nobel Peace Prize for our interaction with [Ohlsen]."

Gov. Jay Nixon has since called for a special election on Nov. 3 to fill the now-vacant legislative seats.

In his resignation letter, Smith described the experience as humbling and he apologized to his constituents and U.S. Rep. Carnahan, D-St. Louis, who ended up beating Smith in the 2004 primary.

Howard said she hopes this breech of ethics will not hurt the public's trust of legislative representatives.

"I think there are certainly things to be learned from this process," she said. "And I think it is certainly important for all to really recommit to keeping our political process working."

Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Ryan Hobart said he hopes people will continue to trust the Democratic Party despite the scandal.

"The fact that two individuals made bad mistakes and are being punished accordingly doesn't change the fact that the Democratic Party will continue to focus on improving the lives of Missourians," Hobart said.

Because of his guilty plea, Smith has decided to cancel the classes on ethics and government he was supposed to teach at Washington University in St. Louis this fall. Final sentencing will take place Nov. 10.