Our Attorney General does not understand the law and is threatening the State Auditor with a felony charge for a crime that does not exist.
Why?
To interfere in a corruption investigation involving his office.
This is abuse of power. A legal thread.
1/14
Why?
To interfere in a corruption investigation involving his office.
This is abuse of power. A legal thread.
1/14
The Attorney General has cited RSMo. 29.200.17 in his threat to the Auditor. That provision makes "audit workpapers and related supportive materials" confidential.
Unless you read the first part of the sentence: "Except as provided in this section."
revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSectio…
2/14
Unless you read the first part of the sentence: "Except as provided in this section."
revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSectio…
2/14
First, RSMo. 29.200.16 provides the Auditor with wide power to "adopt policies and procedures necessary" to investigate "allegations of improper governmental activities."
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3/14
Second, RSMo. 29.200.11 requires the Auditor to make a report of facts to appropriate officials in cases of law violations or malfeasance by a public officer.
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4/14
Third, RSMo. 29.200.13 requires the Auditor to publish the report, including on her website.
5/14
5/14
Nowhere does the law say that the Auditor may not publish the evidence she used to make a report. The opposite is true. The law requires her to make a report "of facts in the auditor's possession" when it comes to corruption investigations.
6/14
6/14
The Attorney General also wrongly cites the Yellow Book, a governmental auditing accounting standard published online at gao.gov/assets/590/587….
7/14
7/14
The Yellow Book does not state that any of the evidence the Auditor published is confidential, but it does address the situation when the target of an audit is unhappy and makes threats to the Auditor:
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8/14
"In resolving those conflicts and pressures, acting with integrity means that auditors place priority on their responsibilities to the public interest." Yellow Book 1.18 (2011).
9/14
9/14
The Attorney General clearly attempted to interfere with an audit requested by the Secretary of State and legally conducted by state Auditor @nicolergalloway.
His attempt to obstruct a corruption investigation should be investigated by the Legislature.
10/14
His attempt to obstruct a corruption investigation should be investigated by the Legislature.
10/14
And now, as a result of the Attorney General's corrupt behavior, the Auditor likely cannot use the Attorney General's Office as legal counsel, adding costs to taxpayers.
11/14
11/14
This is just another example of why we need a new Attorney General, someone who believes in transparency and who understands the role of the office.
The current political appointee we have never worked in the office before and it shows.
12/14
The current political appointee we have never worked in the office before and it shows.
12/14
As Attorney General, I will restore the integrity of the office, actually show up in our communities around the state, and get to work on the important issues our Attorney General should be working on instead of getting into fights with our state Auditor.
13/14
13/14
