Schoeller: "If It's True, We'll Part Paths"

Willard State Representative Shane Schoeller said late Monday that he'll wait to learn more information about the assault charge filed against former GOP House Speaker Rod Jetton before determining whether to continue to employ him as a political consultant.

Shoeller is one of Jetton's consulting clients. Jetton has been helping the two-term Republican ramp up his campaign for Pro Tem, the second highest leadership position in the House.

"If the allegations are true, he will have no place in my campaign," Schoeller told The Notebook, adding, "I want to wait to learn more information."

Schoeller said he has not spoken to Jetton since the assault charge was filed in Scott County Monday afternoon. Schoeller has employed Jetton for political consulting since last January.

According to campaign finance reports, Schoeller has paid Jetton close to $7,000 over the past year.

The criminal felony complaint claims Jetton hit and choked a woman before having sex with her at her Sikeston home on November 15th. Jetton did not respond to a call for comment. But the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Tony Messenger is reporting Jetton's attorney said his client is not guilty of the assault charge.

"This is barely two hours old. I'm not going to be making any hasty decisions," Schoeller said. "These are serious allegations that have been made. And obviously, if it's true, we'll part paths."

Schoeller said he thinks it's appropriate to talk to Jetton at some point to get his version of events.

Asked whether he'd wait for a court ruling to decide whether to continue to employ Jetton, Schoeller replied, "I don't want to comment any further."

"The allegations are serious and I'm taking it seriously," he said.