Release: Chris Koster’s Lack of Character Opens a  Pandora’s Box of His Spending Problems

JEFFERSON CITY — On the campaign trail, Chris Koster has been reckless in accusations of his opponent Eric Greitens, but Koster stooped to a new level of shameful when he falsely noted the former Navy SEAL of mis-managing funds.

Using his combat pay, Greitens formed The Mission Continues (TMC) as a way to aid veterans when they integrate back home through positive community impact.

Koster lied in a campaign ad, saying Greitens used funds intended for veterans to promote himself.

The truth?  Greitens, who served as Founder and CEO for TMC didn’t even come close to lacking ethical boundaries.  In fact, Greitens worked for the organization without pay during its start-up years, and when he finally collected a salary for his work it was said to be “reasonable” and “not extravagant” in comparison to other nonprofit groups.  (Associated Press, September 8, 2016).

Eric Greitens was named TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential people of 2013, one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2014 and presented by President George W. Bush with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for inspiring leadership with veterans.

While Greitens was serving our country, receiving high accolades and aiding his fellow veterans, Chris Koster was repeatedly questioned about his spending of Missouri tax dollars:

• Koster requested $3.2 million tax payer dollars to renovate his digs at the Attorney General’s office.  (St. Louis Business Journal, February 23, 2012);
•  In height of the recession, Koster voiced his intention to the salaries of entry-level staffers by 23% — again funded by tax dollars.  (Missouri Lawyers Media, April 30, 2009);
• Koster gave across the board raises to several of his employees – nearly half said to be “unreasonable” by the Auditor.  The same report revealed that Koster’s office failed to document spending and keep proper records.  (John Watson, Missouri State Auditor, Office of Attorney General, Report No. 2015-013, March 2015);
• Koster expensed hotel stays at places like the Ritz Carlton and the Intercontinental on a regular basis during his time as Attorney General.  (Various expense reports of Chris Koster from 2009 — 2015t);
• Millions of dollars were expensed by Koster for use of the state plane.  (Various expense reports of the Attorney General’s office from 2009 — 2015).

In addition to his poor stewardship of Missouri tax dollars, Attorney General Koster gained national notoriety when the New York Times reported a fishy connection between his acceptance of campaign contributions from companies like 5-Hour Energy, Pfizer and AT&T and dropped investigations or granted favorable settlements for those companies.

“Chris Koster took a cheap shot at Eric Greitens and missed,” said Kristen Blanchard Ansley, Director of State Communications for the Missouri Republican Party.  “I find it particularly difficult to take Mr. Koster’s accusations seriously when he requested a total of $3.2 million taxpayer dollars to redecorate his office, traveled to places like the Ritz Carlton on our dime and give raises to his staff during the height of the recession.  Eric Greitens has served our country on multiple tours overseas and used his combat pay to help fellow veterans, while Chris Koster landed in the New York Times for alleged bribery.  Chris Koster should be thanking Mr. Greitens for his service and his efforts with The Mission Continues instead of hurting our country’s veterans by conjuring up rumors in hopes for political gain.”