Jefferson City, Mo. — In response to partisan attacks on Missouri Securities Commissioner David Minnick, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft defended his appointment and expressed his clear support.
“David Minnick grew up outside Chillicothe on a farm and has lived in Missouri most of his life,” Ashcroft said. “He loves Missouri, and the citizens of this state need people like David to serve the public in state government. His reputation is excellent. He has integrity and is honest. He has a deep, real-life familiarity of the securities industry that will help the Securities Division improve how they conduct examinations and investigations.
“Commissioner Minnick has been a prosecutor and a lawyer since he earned his law degree from the University of Missouri in 1981. In the Circuit Court for the City of St. Louis, and in Lincoln County, he prosecuted murder cases, child sexual assaults, robberies – horrible crimes of humanity – and in every instance, David represented the victim. He is returning to his roots, protecting people and holding offenders accountable.”
As an attorney employed by major investment brokerage firms, Minnick has been part of many acquisitions, defended the companies and its officers and employees in arbitrations and provided a broad range of legal advice. For many years, he has been involved in responding to regulatory inquiries and has worked directly with the Securities Division of the Secretary of State’s office – the division he now oversees – giving him an informed opinion on the Division well before he accepted the position.
Donald L. Cupps, a life-long Democrat who has known Minnick since 1973, said they have had spirited political discussions over the years, “but I would never question David’s integrity or honesty. I have no concerns that David as Securities Commissioner will handle any real or perceived conflict with his previous employers appropriately.”
