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Lawmakers React to Griffin Sentencing

In the wake of the former House Speaker's prison sentance. The House chair of the ethics committee said changes have been made.

Rebecca Sapakie has more at the Capitol.

According to House Ethics Committee Chair, Bob Clayton, many think that an overload of power contributed to many of the problems during Bob Griffin's time as House speaker.

Clayton said since Griffin's 15 years in office things have changed including a dilution of power.

Actuality:Bob Clayton
RunTime: 07
OutCue: ...the first place.
Contents: [185K WAV file - Less power is coming out of the Speaker's office which many blame for these problems in the first place.]

Clayton said ethics complaints are taken very seriously, but he hasn't seen any in the last year.

I'm Rebecca Sapakie in Jefferson City.

A U.S. district judge sentanced former House Speaker, Bob Griffin, to 4 years in federal prison followed by a three year supervised sentance and a $7500 fine.

Rebecca Sapakie has reaction from the state house Capitol:

Griffin's criminal problems had been a key issue for the Republican attack on the Democratic-contrlled legislature for the past few years.

But when the sentence was anounced, there was unusual agreement on one point from the two top leaders in Missouri's House.

House Speaker, Steve Gaw, released a statement saying he's concerned about the public's confidence in government. House Republican Leader, Delbert Scott agreed.

Actuality:Delbert Scott
RunTime: 16
OutCue: ...by this brush.
Contents: [741K WAV file - When one legislator falls, it gives a black eye to all of us.]

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the governor calls the sentance appropriate. I'm Rebecca Sapakie at the Capitol.