Former secretary/treasurer believed to have documents being sought

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 3, 2018) As part of her audit into potential fraud in the Plattsburg Special Road District, Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has issued subpoenas to obtain records being held by the district’s former secretary/treasurer. The Auditor is authorized by Missouri law to issue subpoenas to compel testimony and evidence as necessary to conduct an audit.

“My office issued these subpoenas so that we can immediately receive publicly owned district records believed to be held by a former employee,” Auditor Galloway said. “We’re working to get answers for taxpayers as quickly as possible. Documentation is a vital part of the audit  process.”

The Plattsburg Special Road District is located in Clinton County. In October, the Auditor’s office contacted district officials shortly after a complaint was filed with the office’s Whistleblower Hotline. The Auditor’s office requested information from the district to determine if allegations of questionable expenditures of district funds were credible. As a result of the investigation, the district secretary/treasurer was dismissed, and district officials requested an audit.

Auditor Galloway has pledged to work with law enforcement on any potential violations of law discovered in the course of the audit. The State Auditor’s Office frequently works with local, state and federal law enforcement when there are suspicions of fraud or abuse in government.

Individuals can use the Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline to share information on allegations of improper government activity. Contact the State Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline by emailing moaudit@auditor.mo.gov or by calling 800-347-8597. Concerns may also be submitted anonymously online at auditor.mo.gov/hotline.