Missouri candidate accused of planting cocaine and Adderall on rival

A 37-year-old candidate for Missouri state representative is accused of trying to plant cocaine and Adderall on his political opponent in an apparent plot to sabotage her campaign, prompting the state's GOP chair to call for him to quit the race.

Thomas Christopher Ross of Joplin, Missouri, the Republican candidate for Missouri's state seat in House District 161 after last month's slim primary win, was charged on Sept. 2 with a count of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Southwest Missouri.

"The American people deserve confidence in an electoral process that has served our nation for generations," U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price said in a news release. "Candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns with integrity, honesty, and respect for their opponents, allowing voters to make informed decisions without fear of misinformation or undue influence."

According to the office, Joplin police contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation on July 30 about what they said was a matter of "public corruption."

Police told the FBI initial information indicated Ross had asked his former campaign manager to plant drugs on his primary election opponent, Louise Secker. The campaign manager gave law enforcement a black nylon…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/