Shocking development: Republicans demands release of tax returns

(From the Missouri Republican Party)

The Missouri Republican Party today called on Susan Montee to release her tax returns in the wake of a federal indictment of a license fee office employee in St. Joseph.  The fee office is run by a member of Montee’s family.

“A former Democrat official alleged that the fee office selection process was ‘all politics.’  And as a former statewide Democrat official, Susan Montee was in a position of influence to direct this lucrative fee office to her family,” said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party.  “Montee has remained close with her ex-husband and the fee embattled St Joseph fee office, so the question is: has Susan Montee benefited financially from the scheme to provide drivers licenses to illegal immigrants?”

The awarding of the St. Joseph fee office was controversial at the time, as media reports cited Susan Montee's connections to Governor Nixon and the Democratic Party. Montee’s ex-husband, James Montee, had contributed nearly $100,000 to Democratic candidates prior to amassing multiple lucrative license fee contracts from Nixon's administration.  Susan Montee has remained close to her ex-husband, even serving as the attorney for him and the St Joseph fee office in a discrimination lawsuit earlier this year.

Now the St. Joseph office is embroiled in a federal indictment alleging a conspiracy to provide more than 3,500 fraudulent identity documents to illegal immigrants across the country. The government alleges the scheme netted more than $5 million to the conspirators.

 “As a candidate for public office, Susan Montee owes it to voters to release her tax returns to show whether she received money directly or indirectly from the fee office or James Montee. Only releasing her tax returns will resolve this serious conflict,” said Smith.