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Sinquefield PAC cuts ties with PR firm over 'indefensible' wooing of reporters [St. Louis Post-Dispatch](St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 30--ST. LOUIS -- Grow Missouri, a PAC bankrolled by wealthy conservative political activist Rex Sinquefield, has cut ties with the public relations firm Skyword Press, after the firm was called out for trying to get political reporters from mainstream media outlets (including the Post-Dispatch) to write copy on the side for the PAC's political causes. "We believe wholeheartedly in the importance of the work we are doing to proactively engage Missourians ... Because of our commitment, Grow Missouri does not want the indefensible actions of Skyword to tarnish or further distract from that effort," the PAC's treasurer, Aaron Willard, said in an emailed statement today. "Accordingly, Grow Missouri will have no further relationship with Skyword and is moving forward with a reinforced commitment to conducting business with the same high level of professionalism and integrity upon which we have always prided ourselves." As we reported today, Skyword, working on behalf of Grow Missouri, sent out emails last week to several Missouri reporters offering $250 per article for the journalists to write about tax reform, politics and other controversial issues on which the PAC lobbies. Some of the offers were sent to reporters who regularly cover Sinquefield's political activities, including Alex Stuckey of the Post-Dispatch Jefferson City Bureau. Some of the emails specified that the writers would be allowed to write anonymously. Stuckey and other journalists declined the offers, as such work would be a clear conflict of interest with their newsgathering responsibilities. National media blogger Jim Romenesko wrote on the issue Friday, prompting Skyword to issue a statement acknowledging the offers were "an oversight." Follow Kevin McDermott on Twitter @kevinmcdermott ___ (c)2014 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Visit the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at www.stltoday.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |