Dean Plocher’s Final Weeks Marked by Hiring Attempts, Ethics Concerns & Office Changes!

In the final weeks before his exit as Missouri House Speaker, Dean Plocher’s tenure was rocked by a series of controversies, ranging from last-minute hiring attempts to unresolved ethics investigations. His successor, Jon Patterson, wasted no time in undoing some of Plocher’s decisions and implementing reforms aimed at restoring credibility to the House.

Last-Minute Hiring Attempts & Power Struggles

Before officially stepping down in January, Plocher’s office attempted to push through legislative hires despite Jon Patterson being named the incoming speaker. On December 17, Patterson sent an email to Plocher, accusing his chief of staff, Hampton Williams, of bypassing the incoming House leadership to make personnel decisions. Patterson requested an urgent conversation, and ultimately, the hires never took place.

Ethics Investigations & Unpaid Legal Fees

Plocher’s time as Speaker had been plagued by allegations of ethical misconduct, including improper reimbursement claims and pressure on nonpartisan staff. To investigate these claims, the House had hired an outside attorney. However, Plocher’s office refused to authorize payment for the attorney’s work, leaving an outstanding bill of $14,000. Patterson settled the issue soon after taking office, approving the overdue payment.

Failed Attempt to Change Ethics Rules

In a controversial move, Plocher’s office attempted to convene a hearing in November to alter House ethics policies. If successful, the changes would have limited investigations into legislative expense accounts—the same issue that had put Plocher under scrutiny. Despite efforts to secure attendance from Democratic lawmakers, the meeting failed to reach a quorum and was ultimately cancelled.

New Ethics Rules & Legislative Reforms

After Plocher’s departure, Patterson moved quickly to implement reforms addressing the weaknesses exposed by his predecessor’s ethics scandals. The House passed new rules requiring a Speaker to recuse themselves from ethics investigations if they are the subject of a complaint. Additionally, the changes clarified that the Ethics Committee can hire outside legal counsel without the Speaker’s approval.

The ‘Butler’s Pantry’ Controversy

One of the more bizarre aspects of Plocher’s tenure was his decision to convert Room 306B in the Missouri Capitol into a storage room stocked with liquor, beer, wine, and soda. Dubbed the “Butler’s Pantry,” the room was originally designed as an office space for legislative staff.

Once media attention grew, the liquor was removed, and the space was temporarily repurposed for interns. Patterson promptly restored Room 306B as an office, assigning it to State Representative Bishop Davidson, a key figure in budget committee leadership.

Ongoing Lawsuits & Political Fallout

Even after leaving office, Plocher’s actions continue to have legal repercussions. The Missouri House is facing two separate lawsuits from legislative employees who claim they experienced retaliation and threats from Plocher. One of these cases was dismissed in December but is expected to be appealed, while the second lawsuit was filed in early February.

A Fresh Start for Missouri’s House Leadership

With Plocher out and Patterson taking the reins, Missouri’s House leadership is focused on cleaning up lingering controversies and reinforcing ethical standards. While Plocher denies any wrongdoing, his tenure as Speaker left behind a trail of political turmoil, legal battles, and credibility concerns.

As Patterson implements new policies and restores order, the Missouri House is hoping to move forward from a period marked by controversy and ethical dilemmas.

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