GRAND JURY'S ETHICS SUBPOENA PROVES PUZZLING

Only five of the eight lobbyists whose records have been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury in Kansas City list a gambling company as a client, according to a review of data obtained from the Missouri Ethics Commission. Three of the lobbying firms, as well as a state official also required to file a report of his activities on behalf of state agencies, fail to list any gaming firms as a client.

Altogether the grand jury convened in Jackson County, presumed to be investigating undue influence exerted on behalf of interests seeking riverboat casino licenses, has requested not only client listings by registered lobbyists but campaign contribution and spending reports by three elected officials: House Speaker Bob Griffin, Democrat from Cameron; state Sen. Ronnie DePasco, Kansas City Democrat; and former Republican state Sen. Tom McCarthy of Chesterfield, who did not seek re-election and plans to lobby in Jefferson City next year.

Another state official, Tom Simon, clerk of the Missouri Supreme Court, has had his lobbying records subpoenaed by the federal grand jury, but records obtained from the state ethics panel show no connection between the court official and any gaming firm. Records obtained from the ethics office show Simon lobbying on behalf of only two parties---his employer, the state's highest appellate court, and a governmental panel known as the Legislative Steering Committee.

Records identical to those sent to the grand jury indicate that five of the lobbyists represent at least one gaming company, with two representing more than one firm or local group seeking a casino license.

Information about the federal probe's central target at this point is scarce to non-existent. One lobbyist whose records have been subpoenaed, while representing a gambling company, says his client hasn't even submitted an application to the Missouri Gaming Commission. The lobbyist, Peter Vail of St. Louis, whose client is the Pair A Dice Gaming Corp., says the firm is considering a casino at Festus but no final decision has been reached on seeking an approval by the state to operate in Jefferson County.

Vail said he was as puzzled as anyone about the nature of the investigation, but he added that he has never talked to any of the state officials apparently involved in the federal probe about any matter related to gambling. Records obtained from the ethics office show Vail's expenditures have been moderate and usually in connection with other clients. Vail represents a number of St. Louis businesses and institutions including the St. Louis Public Schools, St. Louis County Government, the Hotel Association of Greater St. Louis and Grey Eagle Distributors.

A check with the chief investigative officer of the Missouri Gaming Commission, Highway Patrol Capt. Dwight Hartung, indicates there has been no communication between the office of the U.S. attorney in Kansas City and the state oversight panel. Hartung said he had received no information from the Justice Department concerning the subpoenas and the people involved, nor what violations might be under scrutiny.

In addition to Vail, lobbyists with gaming clients whose expenditure records have been subpoenaed include Jeffrey Griffin of Jefferson City, son of the House speaker; John Bardgett Jr. of Chesterfield, whose firm employs Griffin; Charles "Andy" Arnold of Wright City; and Robin Hawkins of Excelsior Springs.

The lobbyists and their clients include: Griffin, who represents Players International. Bardgett, who represents Caesar's World Inc., Casino Magic Corp., and Gateway Casino Co.

Arnold represents Las Vegas Dissemination and Video Lottery Tech Inc.

Hawkins, who represents the Boyd Group Inc.

Lobbyists who represent no gaming or development groups, but whose records have nevertheless been requested, include Donald L. Gorman of Kansas City, Woody Simmons of Jefferson City and Harry Gallagher, also of Jefferson City.

While Gallagher represents the Missouri Amusement Operators Association, the veteran lobbyist also looks after political interests of Dun and Bradstreet, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Missouri Optometric Association, Mortgage Bankers Association of Missouri, Sinclair Oil Corp., Missouri Press Association and numerous others.

Both Gallagher and Bardgett operate two of the state's largest lobbying firms, with clients numbering well above the 25 mark.

None of the lobbyists contacted for comments on this story was able to shed additional light on the probe, and all denied being contacted by any law enforcement official concerning any illegality in securing a gaming license or any undue political influence exerted on behalf of a client. One lobbyist, attempting to put a positive spin on his plight, said the only gambler he had talked to in the last year was his mother who travels frequently to Las Vegas.