Does the Governor's chief of staff get a free pass on taxes and fees?

Pouring through the recently-released Blunt Administration emails, we've stumbled upon a fascinating question from everybody's favorite former Chief of Staff:

From: Martin, Ed
To: John Hoskins
Sent: 9/6/2007 8:43 PM
Subject:

John

Does the chief of staff get a dove hunting permit as part of his position? I am hoping to go on Monday next.

Ed Martin
(573) 751-5261

Does the Governor's Chief of Staff get a pass on paying the taxes and fees that the rest of us have to pay? I'm not a lawyer like Martin, but here's some of what the law says what employees shan't be doing:

Section 105.452

Prohibited acts by elected and appointed public officials and employees.

105.452. 1. No elected or appointed official or employee of the state or any political subdivision thereof shall:

(1) Act or refrain from acting in any capacity in which he is lawfully empowered to act as such an official or employee by reason of any payment, offer to pay, promise to pay, or receipt of anything of actual pecuniary value paid or payable, or received or receivable, to himself or any third person, including any gift or campaign contribution, made or received in relationship to or as a condition of the performance of an official act, other than compensation to be paid by the state or political subdivision;

Cutting out some of the legalese, it says:

No employee of the state shall offer receipt of anything of actual pecuniary value other than compensation to be paid by the state.

Seems pretty clear to me: Martin would have to pay for his permits, pay his taxes, etc. just like the rest of us.  And to make matters worse, Eddie didn't just accept a free cup of coffee -- he proactively sought out his perks.

Read the full exchange between Martin and Hoskins:

----- Original Message -----
From: Martin, Ed
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 8:11 AM
To: Hoskins, John
Subject: Re:

Thanks. I am very sorry we have not (yet) fished. I really want to. Any good fall fishing that you recommend.

Ed Martin
(573) 751-5261

----- Original Message -----
From: John Hoskins To: Martin, Ed
Sent: Fri Sep 07 08:09:05 2007
Subject: Re:

Hi Ed,
I will take care of your needs in this regard. I hope you have a really good day afield. Keep in touch! jh
 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin, Ed"
To: John Hoskins
Sent: 9/6/2007 8:43 PM
Subject:

John

Does the chief of staff get a dove hunting permit as part of his position? I am hoping to go on Monday next.

Ed Martin
(573) 751-5261

Self enrichment. Evading the rules. Just another day in Governor Blunt's office.