Nixon fills post on ethics panel, other boards

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon tapped a Springfield attorney and fellow Democrat to serve on the state commission charged with investigating ethics laws and campaign finance violations.

Nixon appointed Gregory Weaver on Tuesday to the Missouri Ethics Commission for a term ending in March 2018. Weaver previously was in private law practice and is currently a legal instructor at Everest College in Springfield. He would replace another Democrat, Dennis Rose, who currently chairs the panel.

The governor previously nominated Democrat Joseph Carroll of Marshall and Republican William Deeken of Jefferson City to fill vacancies on the Ethics Commission. They would replace Vernon Dawdy and Louis Leonatti, respectively.

The commission has six members, three Republicans and three Democrats. All serve four-year terms and must live in a different congressional district than other panel members.

Nixon's three nominees will replace commissioners whose terms all expired on March 15. Unlike many other positions in state government, members of the Ethics Commission cannot continue serving past their term's expiration date until their successor is appointed.

Nixon also selected a former State Board of Education member to serve on the governing board of Missouri Western State University for a term ending in October 2019. David Liechti of St. Joseph is an accountant and a former school board member.

The Democratic governor also tapped a former House Democrat, Rep. Melba Curls, to serve on a real estate appraiser's board until September. Curls is currently a Kansas City councilwoman.

All of Nixon's nominees, including the three Ethics Commission slots, will need confirmation from the Republican-controlled Senate.