LAWMAKERS COME TO LICHTENEGGER DEFENSE

JACKSON -- Lawmakers from both parties this weekend came to the defense of Jackson attorney John Lichtenegger, who was included last week in a scathing report by Missouri Auditor Margaret Kelly.

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, called Kelly's actions "reckless" and called for the auditor to apologize to Lichtenegger and his family.

Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, called Kelly's report a "political drive-by shooting" of Lichtenegger.

On Thursday, Kelly issued the report on the attorney general's office under former gubernatorial candidate, William Webster. The audit said millions of dollars were wasted in the defense of the state's Second Injury Fund, and charged that laws were broken.

One of her findings was that Webster's office paid Lichtenegger's law firm $137,000 during a six-month period last year to defend Second Injury Fund cases filed in St. Louis.

Lichtenegger has defended himself, explaining that he took over about 4,000 St. Louis Second Injury Fund cases on an emergency basis after the assistant attorney general who was assigned the cases was fired.

But Rep. Kelly said Lichtenegger shouldn't have to defend himself.

"I've known John a long time. I don't agree with him on politics at all, but he's a good lawyer and a good man," Rep. Kelly said. "Margaret Kelly did substantial and unjustified damage to him and his reputation.

"The man did nothing wrong at all. She even admitted he did nothing wrong, and yet she slanders him."

Rep. Kelly said the auditor only issued the report last week to divert criticism away from her and her office for not keeping a better watch on the attorney general's office in previous audits.

"I think it's an indication of two things on her part: one, her desperation; and two, her lack of character if she's willing to slander an innocent person just to save herself," he said.

Rep. Kelly and Lichtenegger both graduated from the University of Missouri law school and served together on the University of Missouri Extension Task Force. They also have clashed in numerous political campaigns.

"I don't care if he's a Republican, he's a good man and doesn't deserve this," Kelly said of Lichtenegger. "It's despicable.

"Here's a guy that works his whole life to be competent and ethical and here this politician comes along and tries to ruin him to save herself."