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GOP candidate for Missouri House charged with conspiring to plant cocaine on opponent
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Thomas Ross, a Republican candidate for Missouri state representative, faces a federal charge for allegedly conspiring to plant cocaine and amphetamines on his political opponent, Louise Secker, whom he narrowly defeated in the primary.
- The former campaign manager, acting as a cooperating witness, provided police with a glove containing cocaine and Adderall, and shared text messages from Ross instructing the drug planting while Ross was on vacation.
- Investigators believe Ross used his own prescription Adderall in the plot, and recordings indicate Ross encouraged the campaign manager to anonymously tip off authorities about drugs in Secker's possession.
- Missouri GOP Chairman Peter Kinder condemned the allegations and urged Ross to withdraw from the race, while the U.S. Attorney emphasized the importance of election integrity and pledged to prosecute public trust violations.
