Friday, November 25, 2016

Lawrence County prosecutor files felony charges against special road district board members

(From State Auditor Nicole Galloway)

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released the following statement after Lawrence County Prosecutor Don Trotter filed felony stealing charges against six former board members and employees of the Buck Prairie Special Road District. The charges are the result of concerns uncovered in an audit that identified $65,000 dollars in inappropriate spending and payments made from district accounts.

"People are just plain fed up with public officials who abuse their power and take advantage of their positions to benefit themselves instead of the citizens they serve. My audit raised serious concerns with the management of the Buck Prairie Special Road District and these charges highlight the seriousness of their actions, and show how audits get results. My office worked with Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney Don Trotter, and we appreciate his dedication to justice. When those in positions of public trust abuse their power, they must be held accountable."

Court documents show six board members and employees face Class C Felony charges for 23 separate counts of receiving stolen property, including submitting for and receiving thousands of dollars' worth of inappropriate payments from the district. Residents of the district petitioned the Auditor's Office for review after raising concerns related to management and operations for the road district, which was created in 1902 to maintain rural roads near the city of Marionville. A copy of the complete August 2016 audit report is available online here.

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