ROGER WILSON, a Missouri Democrat who was named governor after the plane crash that killed Gov. Mel Carnahan, was sentenced last week to two years of probation for misusing money to make political donations.

Wilson, 63, of Columbia, pleaded guilty in April to one count of misappropriation of funds from an insurer, the same day his federal indictment was announced. He admitted that he improperly steered $8,000 to the state Democratic Party in 2009 while serving as CEO of Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Co., a state-created workers’ compensation firm.

Wilson could have received up to six months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. Chief Magistrate Judge Mary Ann Medler cited Wilson’s otherwise exemplary record in nearly a quarter-century of public service in opting not to require jail time. She also cited the many letters of support for Wilson. The following is one example, which we offer up today as a guest column.



I have known Roger Wilson since 1989 — first as a state senator, then as lieutenant governor, then as he became Missouri’s governor amid tragic circumstances.

I first knew Roger in my capacity as correspondent and political writer for The Associated Press. Since my retirement from the AP in 2005, I have become much better acquainted with Roger personally. I consider him a good friend. So I am writing today on behalf of my good friend Roger.

In a journalism career spanning more than three decades, I rarely met an elected official with the devotion to duty and the integrity of Roger Wilson. Not to mention a public figure with a better sense of humor and, to paraphrase Harry Truman, a hat size inversely proportional to his celebrity and name recognition.

Such is his name recognition that here in Boone County and in the in the State Capitol, when the name “Roger” is mentioned, no last name is required. And to further paraphrase, with a reverse take on the great Will Rogers, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like Roger Wilson. Such broad affection is nice, but it is just one component of measuring a man. I’ll venture a few other measures for Roger Wilson: Decency. Compassion. Loyalty. A lifetime of serving others.

And Roger’s word is good — which was once the gold standard for behavior in the Missouri Statehouse. Most of all, he has his head screwed on straight and possesses an abundance of common sense. That’s why the case before you is so unusual: Roger did not use good judgment in this matter.

Henry J. “Hank” Waters III, publisher emeritus of The Columbia Daily Tribune, expressed a similar view in his daily editorial. I am attaching the entire editorial for your reference, but as Mr. Waters noted, a former company director “persistently pressured Wilson to sign off as president” on the campaign donation in question.

Mr. Waters continues:

“Wilson should have said no, but it’s clear he was not the instigator of the ‘misappropriation.’ Ironically, if (former Missouri Employers Mutual Director Doug) Morgan had lived, he would have been the primary culprit in this and other shenanigans. Wilson still would have been complicit, but the whole story would have been clearer. So, Roger Wilson deserves his moment in court, but it should be as brief and painless as possible. The lengthy federal investigation has been rough on him and his family. If all our high public officials had as steady an ethical compass as Roger Wilson’s, dust would gather on the desks of enforcement officials. No doubt he is more disappointed than anyone over his temporary lapse in judgment.”

Like the editorial writer, I consider this failure in judgment to be an aberration.

Roger hasn’t made any excuses to me. But it seems clear from the facts that Roger was under tremendous ongoing pressure from a board member who, rest in peace, was absolutely corrupt and who sucked others into his schemes and capers like a relentless whirlpool.

Your Honor, those who know him best know that Roger Wilson is deeply embarrassed and kicking himself over this lapse in judgment.

I respectfully ask that you consider his long record of untarnished public service as you weigh sentencing.



Scott Charton, retired Associated Press political writer, lives in Columbia.