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Missouri candidate charged with trying to plant cocaine on his political rival
Thomas Ross is accused of asking a campaign staffer to plant cocaine and Adderall on his opponent in a close primary race.
- On Wednesday, federal prosecutors charged Missouri House candidate Thomas Ross with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance for allegedly attempting to plant cocaine and Adderall on his primary opponent, Louise Secker.
- Prosecutors allege Ross directed his campaign manager to plant the drugs in Secker's purse or vehicle while he vacationed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, providing a glove containing the substances.
- Text messages reviewed by FBI Special Agent Brandon Bernhardt show Ross used coded language referring to the plot as the "substance of the matter," while agents recorded a July 31 meeting where Ross told his manager to "try."
- Missouri Republican Party chair Peter Kinder called for Ross to drop out, while U.S. Attorney Matthew Price and FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Ornerod described the allegations as "substantial and serious."
- Ross won the Republican nomination for Missouri's 161st House District by only 32 votes, and the federal public defender's office has been assigned to his case as legal proceedings begin.
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Associated Press News+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Missouri candidate charged with trying to plant cocaine on his political rival
A candidate for the Missouri House has made an initial court appearance on a federal drug charge accusing him of trying to plant cocaine and Adderall on his Republican primary opponent.
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left8Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Left
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Left
62% Left
L 62%
C 38%
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