Missouri lawmaker loses some power amid stem cell fraud case; leader asks for resignation
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)
A Missouri state lawmaker indicted on federal fraud charges for falsely claiming a treatment she sold contained stem cells that could help with COVID-19 has been stripped of some of her legislative power.
The Missouri House speaker on Monday removed fellow Republican Rep. Tricia Derges from all her committee assignments after a federal grand jury indicted the Nixa legislator. The 20-count indictment also accuses the 63-year-old lawmaker of illegally providing prescription drugs to clients and making false statements to federal agents investigating the case.
Her defense attorney says Derges "hasn't been convicted of a thing and she is presumed innocent."
House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, later said the Republican caucus wants her out of the House.
"After speaking with her and with the caucus, I am asking her to resign her seat with the House," Vescovo said in a statement. "The legal process will ultimately determine her guilt or innocence, but this is clearly a time for her to spend with her family as she focuses on her legal issues, and for the people of the 140th district to move forward with selecting a replacement who can effectively advocate for their interests.”
