Former St. Louis Liquor Control Officer Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charges

ST. LOUIS, MO—The United States Attorney’s Office today announced that James Allen Morgan pled guilty to soliciting monetary benefits in exchange for using his position as a liquor control officer with the city of St. Louis to help an applicant obtain a liquor license for a new bar in the city.

According to court documents, during November and December 2009, Morgan met with the applicant several times and suggested that he (Morgan) be hired to manage the new bar, receiving a salary plus a “signing bonus” in order to purchase an automobile. In return, Morgan promised the applicant that he could guarantee there would be no problem obtaining and maintaining a St. Louis city liquor license.

In December 2009, when the city of St. Louis issued the new liquor license, Morgan demanded and agreed to accept $1,000 cash from the applicant as a reward for his efforts in helping obtain the liquor license.

JAMES ALLEN MORGAN, St. Louis, pled guilty to one felony count of bribery before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. He now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000, when he is sentenced on February 2, 2011.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.