Eckersley has said in interviews the true reason he was fired was because he told Blunt's staff destroying government emails was illegal and violated Missouri open records laws.

Blunt denied he received such advice from Eckersley and said he was fired based on his work performance and that he did private work for a separate company.

Cardetti says at the end of the day Blunt needs to come clean and let the public know exactly what advice Eckersley gave him and the real reason he was fired.

Eckersley admits he did do private work but said he had approval from Chief Counsel Henry Herschel.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker, KMOX news.

Intro: Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti says after firing lawyer Scott Eckersley, Governor Blunt's office has participated in some of the nastiest character assassinations he has ever seen in Missouri politics.

Amy Becker has more from the state Capitol.

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Eckersley said he was fired because he pointed out Blunt's office was violating open records law by deleting emails, Blunt staff say he was fired for other reasons.

One claim is Eckersley accessed pornographic websites from his state email address, a claim reminiscent of the Fred Farrell sexual harassment case where Heather Elder was also accused of misusing her state computer.

Cardetti says this tactic seems to be a favorite play of the Blunt administration.

Richard AuBuchon, chief counsel for the Office of Administration, says there is no evidence Eckersley ever accessed an adult website from his state computer.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker.

Intro: Following the Blunt/Eckersley controversy, Democratic Spokesman Jack Cardetti says the Blunt administration can put the scandal to rest with one simple move.

Amy Becker has more from the state Capitol.

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Cardetti says all Blunt's staff has to do is come clean and let the public know what advice his lawyer gave him and the real reason why they fired Eckersley.

In what Cardetti calls the "worst case of character assassination he's ever seen in Missouri politics," he says the governor needs to release Eckersley from his attorney/client privilege so they can show documents they have to prove exactly what happened.

Eckersley's attorney Steve Garner requested access to all documents related to the firing but was refused by Blunt Chief Counsel Henry Herschel.