Missouri state employee living in Florida advocates for the removal of Matt Gaetz

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (First Alert 4) – Missouri Governor Mike Parson told First Alert 4 he just learned that a state agency employee actually lives in Florida and is working to remove controversial Congressman Matt Gaetz.

Senior investigative reporter Lauren Trager asked the governor if taxpayers should pay for people living outside the “Show-Me State.” This raises the question of how much telecommuting should be done when taxpayers are paying for it, especially when the wage exceeds six figures.

“Is it concerning that taxpayers are paying for someone who doesn’t even live in the state?” Trager asked.

“I just heard the news about this yesterday, but we want to make sure people are doing their jobs. I’m not a big fan of telecommuting. I never have been,” Governor Parson responded.

Gov. Parson said at a jobs event Thursday that he just learned from an Office of Administration employee who lives in Florida. Aaron Dimmock has served as Missouri’s leadership coach since 2021. He is also running for Congress in Florida against current Congressman Matt Gaetz, who lives in Pensacola. His campaign team said he visits Missouri about once a month for certain in-person events and conferences.

A state spokesman said Dimmock had fulfilled his duties and informed Office of Administration officials of his decision to run. His candidacy is not prohibited under Missouri law, he said, but if he wins, he would have to resign or be fired.

First Alert 4 Investigates has collected Dimmock’s salary from the state. Last year he earned $103,000 and over the past four years he has been paid $340,000 in taxpayer money.

Although he is not a fan of telecommuting, Parson said it can be appropriate at times.

“But I want to make sure people are doing their jobs. Where they live, as long as they’re doing their jobs in Missouri, that’s one thing, and they meet those requirements. I have no problem with that,” Parson said. “But at the end of the day, we’re going to make sure they’re doing their jobs and we’re getting our money’s worth, whether it’s that or whether it’s hiring a consultant. We just need to make sure that for what we’re paying somebody, we’re getting our money’s worth.”

Property records show that Dimmock and his wife own a home in Chesterfield. Polls show Dimmock trailing Gaetz in the race.

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