Democratic Party questions insurance payment for Kinder's stolen car

In a news release issued this morning, the Missouri Democratic Party is questioning how Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder received an insurance payout for his stolen car that was nearly twice the amount that he paid for the vehicle. The news release is printed below.

The Missouri Democratic Party called on Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder to reveal the circumstances that allowed Kinder to receive an insurance payment nearly twice the reported value of the car that was allegedly stolen from his driveway in late April. Kinder’s car was reportedly stolen and lit on fire after he left the keys in the ignition and the car unlocked at his home in Cape Girardeau.

According to MEC reports filed Friday, Kinder’s campaign received $19,863 in “Insurance Proceeds.” The Kansas City Star confirmed the payment was for the 2009 Ford Flex that was taken from Kinder’s driveway. [Kansas City Star, 7/15/11]

"The circumstances around the alleged theft of Peter Kinder’s car are increasingly curious,” said Missouri Democratic Party spokeswoman Caitlin Legacki. “If Peter Kinder refuses to explain why he left the keys in his car before it was taken, then he should at least explain why it appears an insurance company gave him nearly twice as much as he paid for it."

As reported by the St. Louis Post Dispatch, "The car is registered to Friends of Peter Kinder, the lieutenant governor's campaign committee. Disclosure forms filed with the Ethics Commission show his campaign paid $10,700 for a car in January from a Ford dealership in Park Hills, Mo." [St. Louis Post Dispatch, 4/27/11]

BACKGROUND

Kinder’s story about the theft of his car is already murky:

After Car Theft, Kinder Told Police He Had Left Keys In "Center Console." In April, news broke that Kinder's campaign vehicle -- a 2009 Ford Flex -- had been reported stolen and later torched outside Cape Girardeau. According to the police report, Kinder "said the vehicle was unlocked and the ignition key was in the center console." [Incident Detail Report, Cape Girardeau Police Department, #11003209; KCRG, 4/25/11]

However, Probable Cause Statement Indicated Keys Were in the Ignition. According to the probable cause statement, "the keys were in the ignition and the doors to the vehicle were unlocked." [Detective Henry Voelker, Probable Cause Statement, 4/26/11]