Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director calls on Missouri Republicans to return $25,000 campaign contribution from disgraced former House speaker.

Kansas City, Mo. (January, 29, 2019) – This week the Missouri Republican Party reported receiving a $25,000 monetary contribution from the still-active campaign committee of former Missouri House Speaker John Diehl. Diehl resigned from the legislature in 2015 after the Kansas City Star revealed that he had exchanged sexually charged text messages with a 19-year old student participating in the Capitol Internship Program. At the time, Diehl was 49.

“The Missouri Republican Party has made the decision to associate their organization with behaviors that so many have worked hard to address in the capitol following Speaker Diehl’s resignation,” said Lauren Gepford. “The Missouri GOP should return this contribution immediately. If they do not, they undermine the laudable efforts of so many Republicans and Democrats who have worked to make state government a welcoming and respectful environment for all.”

Background:

KC Star: “Missouri House Speaker John Diehl resigns over intern texts; Todd Richardson replaces him”

https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article20986608.html

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Missouri House speaker resigns; intern breaks silence”

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/missouri-house-speaker-resigns-intern-breaks-silence/article_0f97c87f-dd66-5c1d-bf49-19ef3228ced1.html

https://twitter.com/mo_money2018/status/1089736240642121728