Auditor announces investigation of officials' conflicts of interest

(From State Auditor Nicole Galloway)

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has announced the start of an investigation into potential conflicts of interest related to the state's involvement with a Missouri transportation services company. The company, HELP Inc., is a nonprofit that utilizes public resources and does business with the state, using electronic weigh station technology to allow trucking companies to bypass traditional weigh stations and providing data to the state.

As first reported by the St. Louis Post- Dispatch, state officials are now facing questions on the roles they played while serving both on the board of directors for the company and in their official capacities as regulators for the industry. This includes concerns state officials acted to prevent outside competition.

"Missourians are fed up with the appearance of insider games and political favors in Jefferson City," Auditor Galloway said. "My review will focus on the use of taxpayer resources and whether actions taken by state officials were appropriate."

Individuals with information related to the investigation are encouraged to contact the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline by calling 800-347-8597, by emailing moaudit@auditor.mo.gov, or by using the online submission form at auditor.mo.gov/hotline. Callers may choose to remain anonymous.