JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Ethics Commission has dismissed two complaints against the Democratic candidate looking to replace term-limited Sen. Rob Schaaf.
The complaints outlined allegations that Martin Rucker II failed to disclose in-kind contributions and expenditures made on his behalf of which he had knowledge of and directed/coordinated with a nonprofit corporation.
One complaint alleged that Rucker, as Vice President and a board member of Northland Progress, Inc., solicited contributions — contributions that would require the organization to register as a campaign finance committee — for the non-profit.
The other complaint alleged that Rucker failed to report in-kind contributions from Northland Progress.
The MEC dismissed both complaints last week.
“From the facts presented, the Commission found no reasonable grounds exist to support violation of [Missouri statute],” Elizabeth Ziegler, executive director of the MEC, stated in the dismissal.
The race for Senate District 34 seat is hotly contested and has been filled with ethics violations allegations. In addition to the two recent dismissed complaints against Rucker, his Republican opponent Tony Luetkemeyer also faced accusations of dark money and violations of campaign contribution laws.
The complaint against Luetkemeyer was dismissed in September by the MEC.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
