JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Ethics Commission has fined a man $1,000 for failing to register as a lobbyist.
The commission issued the order Friday against Ron Calzone, claiming he acted to influence legislation without registering. He’s a director of Missouri First, which Calzone describes as a think tank promoting limited government. The order notes Calzone told an investigator he lobbies but doesn’t fall under the definition of a legislative lobbyist.
Lobbyists in Missouri must pay a $10 registration fee and file regular reports about spending for lawmakers and other lobbying activities.
Calzone said he plans to appeal the ethics commission order in court. He says the order could be used to discourage citizen activists from speaking for or against legislation, and he says he never was designated as Missouri First’s lobbyist.
