POETIC LICENSE OR POOR WRITING SKILLS?

Because the city's hired gun on border issues has apparently been muzzled by city politicians and prevented from speaking to thecity residents who pay his salary.
Lead Editorial, "Border file", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, July 4, 2007.

TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "exculpatory".
Define the word and use it in a sentence.
You get a pat on the back if you can name the roots of the word and use them to help in your definition. (Hint: think Latin)