This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, May 27, 2011 - The Southeast Missourian reports that former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, pleaded guilty Thursday to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault, in exchange for his admission that he struck a woman and choked her during a sexual encounter at her home.
The incident took place in November 2009, effectively ending Jetton's career as a rising political consultant and giving a new meaning to the phrase "green balloons."
The victim told police, and repeated in court testimony, that the two had agreed that the two words, "green balloons," would be used if the sex got too rough.
According to the newspaper's account of Thursday's court proceedings: "Judge Fred Copeland suspended the imposition of sentence, placing Jetton on probation and requiring him to pay restitution of $950 to the victim...who was in court for the plea agreement."
Jetton also was ordered to pay $300 in court costs.
Scott County prosecuting attorney Paul Boyd said in a statement that the victim was present for Jetton's plea agreement "so she can move on with her life."
At the time of the incident, Jetton had built up a significant consultant practice in Jefferson City. His clients also had included former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney during his unsuccessful 2008 quest for president.
A former Marine, Jetton cut a flashy figure as House speaker in 2005-2008, which set him apart from other low-key Republican leaders at the time: then-Speaker Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, and then-Gov. Matt Blunt.
Jetton gained notoriety earlier, when he openly jeered then-Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat, during his 2004 State of the State address.
