http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-890070.mp3
Kansas City, Mo. – Former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton spent slightly more than an hour today before a Kansas City federal grand jury investigating graft and political corruption in the statehouse.
Jetton appeared agitated and conceded he is concerned about the probe. He talked with reporters outside the courthouse where the grand jury is considering allegations a bill to screw down the lid on adult entertainment was killed in 2005 in return for a $35 thousand payoff.
In Jetton's words, "I just don't understand. I never, ever told anybody, you give me some money, I'll do this', that never happened, never happened."
Jetton said he was asked exclusively about the death of the strip club bill and he tried to be honest, while he is sure he's forgotten some things in the last five years. Also appearing before the grand jury today, former State Senator Bob Johnson of Lees Summit and a lobbyist for the adult entertainment industry.
Neither Johnson nor Travis Brown would comment about what happened in the grand jury room.
When the bill regulating adult entertainment passed the Senate in March 2005 and moved to the House, Jetton assigned it to a committee whose chairman was opposed to the bill. Jetton has said there was no connection between his assignment and the $35 thousand contribution. He had been hired as a consultant to the trade group representing adult entertainment businesses.