Missouri Candidate Thomas Ross Charged in 33-Vote Race for Plot to Plant Drugs on Opponent
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Missouri Candidate Thomas Ross Charged in 33-Vote Race for Plot to Plant Drugs on Opponent
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Summary
Federal prosecutors charged Thomas Ross with conspiring to plant cocaine and Adderall on Republican primary rival Louise Secker before Missouri’s Aug. 4 House District 161 contest, which he won by 33 votes.
An FBI affidavit says Ross and a former campaign manager discussed the plan in texts and recorded conversations dating to at least May, using coded language about hiding drugs in Secker’s car or purse and tipping off police.
A July 31 covert recording captured Ross telling the former aide, “If you can pull it off ... pull it off,” after the aide asked whether he still wanted to try planting the drugs.
The former campaign manager also gave police a nylon glove allegedly supplied by Ross; inside were a bag that tested positive for cocaine and a capsule identified as Adderall.
Missouri Republican Party Chairman Peter Kinder urged Ross to withdraw, saying the 161st District needs a nominee focused on earning voters’ trust while the criminal case proceeds.