"From Scandal to Staff: Missouri Speaker Hires Controversial Former Speaker"

Rod Jetton, a former Missouri House Speaker whose political career was marred by corruption and sexual assault allegations, has been appointed as the chief of staff for current House Speaker Dean Plocher. Jetton's hiring comes as Plocher faces an ethics committee inquiry and calls for his resignation over allegations of misconduct. While some Republicans view Jetton's past as a story of redemption, Democrats argue that his history disqualifies him from holding a position of influence. Jetton's fall from grace included a felony assault charge and a federal bribery investigation, though he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was placed on probation.