JOPLIN, Mo. – The Missouri Attorney General’s office has completed its investigation into whether the Joplin City Council violated the state’s Sunshine Law.

The A.G.’s office had received complaints last year that council members had gathered for dinners prior to formal meetings. The complaints claimed the meetings should either be public or not happen, since there was no way to know whether city business was discussed.

Now the A.G.’s office tells KOAM News, its investigation found no violations of the Sunshine Law. However, the A.G. did provide guidance to the city on how to better handle those dinners.

In its response, the Attorney General stated that due to the number of complaints received, it was apparent that the pre-meeting dinners were causing concern. The A.G.’s office recommended the city should adopt a practice of letting the public know when a quorum will be present, but city business will not be discussed, to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

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