(From Gov. Jay Nixon)
Gov. Jay Nixon Wednesday announced that he has ordered the Office of Administration to conduct a comprehensive review of the Missouri Lottery’s operations to assess its ability to carry out its voter-approved mandate to provide a stable funding source for public schools.
“For more than two decades, Missourians have counted on the lottery to help provide the resources our schools need to deliver the high quality education our kids deserve,” Gov. Nixon said. “Today, we have a responsibility to make sure the lottery keeps its promise to our public schools in an efficient and effective manner. This comprehensive review will help ensure the Missouri Lottery continues to fulfill its mission of providing a stable funding source for Missouri schools now and for years to come.”
In 1992, Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment under which Missouri Lottery revenues are earmarked solely for public education. In Fiscal Year 2014, the percent of lottery revenues going to education dropped to 23 percent, its lowest point in at least a decade, while lottery ticket sales continued to increase.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
State audit of license fee office bidding procedures released
(From State Auditor Thomas Schweich)
State Auditor Tom Schweich released the audit of the fee office bidding and procurement policies, overseen by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Office of Administration (OA).
In the areas audited, the overall performance of the entity was Fair.
The DOR and OA do not prohibit contract agents from requiring employees to sign non-compete agreements that limit competition. Since 20 points are awarded during the bid evaluation process for retaining current staff, these non-compete agreements could hinder a new bidder.
The DOR and OA extend license office contracts beyond the time frames allowed by the contract terms, and the DOR did not request four contract renewals until after the contracts had already expired, resulting in license offices operating with no contract in place. Of 120 offices with extension options exercised, 91 percent extended past the 120 days allowed by the contract.
Schweich also noted that both the DOR and OA have been diligent in implementing previous audit suggestions in the oversight of fee offices.
To read the full report, visit: http://www.auditor.mo.gov/AuditReports/AudRpt2.aspx?id=57
State Auditor Tom Schweich released the audit of the fee office bidding and procurement policies, overseen by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Office of Administration (OA).
In the areas audited, the overall performance of the entity was Fair.
The DOR and OA do not prohibit contract agents from requiring employees to sign non-compete agreements that limit competition. Since 20 points are awarded during the bid evaluation process for retaining current staff, these non-compete agreements could hinder a new bidder.
The DOR and OA extend license office contracts beyond the time frames allowed by the contract terms, and the DOR did not request four contract renewals until after the contracts had already expired, resulting in license offices operating with no contract in place. Of 120 offices with extension options exercised, 91 percent extended past the 120 days allowed by the contract.
Schweich also noted that both the DOR and OA have been diligent in implementing previous audit suggestions in the oversight of fee offices.
To read the full report, visit: http://www.auditor.mo.gov/AuditReports/AudRpt2.aspx?id=57
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Annie Sharp: New Joplin High School will be unique in the nation
In a Newsmakers interview with Judy Stiles, Joplin R-8 Board of Education President Annie Sharp said the district has put special effort into making sure that everything that was needed for athletics was included in the new Joplin High School.
"We've beefed up our athletic complex," Ms. Sharp said, 'because we figured this was never going to happen again."
In the interview, she also says the following:
-"We welcomed the state audit.
-On the first day of school- "There will be cameras everywhere. It's going to be an awesome time."
-On the new style of education at JHS- "It looks like mass chaos, but it's a great way to learn. The students can handle that kind of freedom."
-On the loans the district is taking- We're not going to the voters. That will be a loan the school district takes out. There won't be any new taxes."
-On the six-and-a-half mile ribbon- "We're trying to make the Guinness Book of World Records."
"We've beefed up our athletic complex," Ms. Sharp said, 'because we figured this was never going to happen again."
In the interview, she also says the following:
-"We welcomed the state audit.
-On the first day of school- "There will be cameras everywhere. It's going to be an awesome time."
-On the new style of education at JHS- "It looks like mass chaos, but it's a great way to learn. The students can handle that kind of freedom."
-On the loans the district is taking- We're not going to the voters. That will be a loan the school district takes out. There won't be any new taxes."
-On the six-and-a-half mile ribbon- "We're trying to make the Guinness Book of World Records."
Ohio man sues Martin Lindstedt for $10 million, claims he is being cyberstalked
An Ohio man is suing frequent political candidate and white power advocate Martin Lindstedt for $10.7 million, claiming Lindstedt has been cyberstalking him.
The case, which was originally filed in Ohio federal court, was transferred to U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri today.
According to the Ohio federal judge's order transferring the case to Missouri:
Pro se Plaintiff Bryan Anthony Reo, an Ohio resident, filed this action against Martin Lindstedt, a resident of Missouri, alleging that Lindstedt engaged in a campaign to stalk himthrough the internet. He asserts claims for cyber-stalking, harassment, defamation, libel,intentional infliction of emotional distress, online impersonation, and violation of the DigitalMillennium Copyright Act. He seeks $10,750.000.00 in monetary damages and injunctive relief.
Reo states he met Lindstedt when he was invited into an online Skype conference chat in 2010. He contends Lindstedt became angry with comments he made and took steps to discover Reo’s identity from his screen name. Reo contends Lindstedt then began to stalk and harass him over the internet by posting photographs of Reo on adult internet sites, creating fictitious accounts in his name on internet forums dedicated to pedophiles, or white supremacy groups,and by posting sensitive personal information such as his social security number and voter registration information on numerous internet sites. He claims Lindstedt has threatened him using the internet, and has posted false and defamatory information about him.
Lindstedt has been a candidate for U. S. Senator, East Newton Board of Education, mayor of Granby, and numerous other positions over the year and has filed lawsuits against President Barack Obama, Congressman Roy Blunt, Missouri Southern State University, John McCain, Matt Blunt, Jay Nixon, Robin Carnahan, the Missouri Supreme Court, the Missouri Republican Party, Frazier Glenn Miller, Newton County Republican Party, Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland, Jay Nixon,
The case, which was originally filed in Ohio federal court, was transferred to U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri today.
According to the Ohio federal judge's order transferring the case to Missouri:
Pro se Plaintiff Bryan Anthony Reo, an Ohio resident, filed this action against Martin Lindstedt, a resident of Missouri, alleging that Lindstedt engaged in a campaign to stalk himthrough the internet. He asserts claims for cyber-stalking, harassment, defamation, libel,intentional infliction of emotional distress, online impersonation, and violation of the DigitalMillennium Copyright Act. He seeks $10,750.000.00 in monetary damages and injunctive relief.
Reo states he met Lindstedt when he was invited into an online Skype conference chat in 2010. He contends Lindstedt became angry with comments he made and took steps to discover Reo’s identity from his screen name. Reo contends Lindstedt then began to stalk and harass him over the internet by posting photographs of Reo on adult internet sites, creating fictitious accounts in his name on internet forums dedicated to pedophiles, or white supremacy groups,and by posting sensitive personal information such as his social security number and voter registration information on numerous internet sites. He claims Lindstedt has threatened him using the internet, and has posted false and defamatory information about him.
Lindstedt has been a candidate for U. S. Senator, East Newton Board of Education, mayor of Granby, and numerous other positions over the year and has filed lawsuits against President Barack Obama, Congressman Roy Blunt, Missouri Southern State University, John McCain, Matt Blunt, Jay Nixon, Robin Carnahan, the Missouri Supreme Court, the Missouri Republican Party, Frazier Glenn Miller, Newton County Republican Party, Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland, Jay Nixon,
Federal grand jury indicts Joplin man on child porn charges
(This news release from the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri is about the indictment by a federal grand jury of Frank Ness, Joplin, on child porn charges. The indictment replaces the original charge. You can find more details on the original charge at this link.)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Joplin, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Frank Edwin Ness, 44, of Joplin, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Ness on July 17, 2014.
Today’s indictment alleges that Ness received and distributed child pornography over the Internet between Jan. 1, 2004, and July 16, 2014.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ness’s residence on July 16, 2014, and seized his desktop computer. Investigators found at least 124 videos containing child pornography when they previewed the computer, the affidavit says.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Ness to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offense, including a desktop computer.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Joplin, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Frank Edwin Ness, 44, of Joplin, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Ness on July 17, 2014.
Today’s indictment alleges that Ness received and distributed child pornography over the Internet between Jan. 1, 2004, and July 16, 2014.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ness’s residence on July 16, 2014, and seized his desktop computer. Investigators found at least 124 videos containing child pornography when they previewed the computer, the affidavit says.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Ness to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offense, including a desktop computer.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Prosecutors: Joplin couple sexually exploited second child
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the wife of a Joplin, Mo., man who was previously indicted on child pornography charges was indicted along with her husband by a federal grand jury today for the sexual exploitation of a second child victim.
James Hajny, 49, and his wife, Gina Hajny, 39, both of Joplin, were charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Today’s superseding indictment replaces the original indictment returned on June 10, 2014. The superseding indictment adds Gina Hajny as a co-defendant and charges both defendants with an additional count of sexual exploitation of a minor.
James and Gina Hajny are each charged in the additional count. Today’s indictment alleges that they used a minor, identified as Jane Doe #2, to produce child pornography.
Today’s superseding indictment also contains three counts from the original indictment. The indictment alleges that James Hajny used a minor victim, identified as “Jane Doe #1,” to produce child pornography in May 2014. James Hajny is also charged with distributing pornographic images of Jane Doe #1 over the Internet between Dec. 12, 2013, and May 12, 2014. The indictment also charges James Hajny with possessing child pornography on May 19, 2014.
The indictment contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require James and Gina Hajny to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offenses, including a laptop computer, two tablet computers, two cell phones, an iPod and a digital camera.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that the wife of a Joplin, Mo., man who was previously indicted on child pornography charges was indicted along with her husband by a federal grand jury today for the sexual exploitation of a second child victim.
James Hajny, 49, and his wife, Gina Hajny, 39, both of Joplin, were charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Today’s superseding indictment replaces the original indictment returned on June 10, 2014. The superseding indictment adds Gina Hajny as a co-defendant and charges both defendants with an additional count of sexual exploitation of a minor.
James and Gina Hajny are each charged in the additional count. Today’s indictment alleges that they used a minor, identified as Jane Doe #2, to produce child pornography.
Today’s superseding indictment also contains three counts from the original indictment. The indictment alleges that James Hajny used a minor victim, identified as “Jane Doe #1,” to produce child pornography in May 2014. James Hajny is also charged with distributing pornographic images of Jane Doe #1 over the Internet between Dec. 12, 2013, and May 12, 2014. The indictment also charges James Hajny with possessing child pornography on May 19, 2014.
The indictment contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require James and Gina Hajny to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offenses, including a laptop computer, two tablet computers, two cell phones, an iPod and a digital camera.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.
The information from the original probable cause affidavit can be found at this link.
Ghost of Character Assassinations Past visits C. J. Huff
To the left of me as I took a front row seat in the audience section of the Joplin R-8 Board of Education meeting room was the executive director of Bright Futures USA. I have never had the pleasure of meeting her before, but I have written about her bankruptcy.
Then sidling into the room in crisp white pants, with a blue Joplin Eagles t-shirt tucked into them, acting like she owned the place, was Tina Smith, the HR director, the same person who had no problem sitting in the same building one year earlier and accusing me of "grooming" students because they supported me.
I thought about saying hi and recording our conversation, but I hate repeating myself.
By the time everyone had entered the room for the 7 p.m. meeting, I counted more than a dozen people that I had written about in recent months. I felt like the Ghost of Character Assassinations Past. Those dozen were nearly two-thirds of the audience.
I had written that several of these people were unqualified; one of them had been rewarded with an upper administration post after running off nearly all of the teachers at McKinley Elementary and then there was Mike Johnson, the head of the building project.
With him sitting nearby, when the words "Stapleton Elementary" were mentioned, I couldn't help but think of the pending lawsuit in which a former employee talked about the crude things Johnson supposedly said he wanted to do to a former Stapleton principal. No one would have ever used that desk again.
At the head of the board table was Superintendent C. J. Huff. It was the first time I had seen him in person in over a year and...to put it as politely as possible... the year has not been kind to him. Thankfully, when the plans for the 21st Century Joplin High School were drawn up (and then added to, and added to, and added to), the district did not skimp on physical fitness machines and with a track being added at the high school, perhaps once the building opens and things settle down, if C. J. is still around he can take advantage of the facilities.
Of course, someone will have to talk C. J. into doing something for himself and not just "for the kids."
During the two-and-a-half-hour session, I learned a number of things:
-C. J. Huff is happy that the auditors are here because it will give everyone a chance to see how efficiently the district operates.
-After the auditors left the meeting, C. J. and the board members, in exasperated answers to board member Debbie Fort's questions, revealed how they spent $8 million in "might as well" money (though no one said those words last night) to add tennis courts, lighting, artificial turf, concession stands, and a track (and bathrooms, too) "for the kids." It was worth going into deep debt for two decades so we could have those things.
-What you do not see on Jet 14 are the reactions of C. J. Huff and the board members as others talk. C. J. drummed his fingers obsessively nearly every time Debbie Fort was speaking and appeared to be grinding his teeth. At other times, he and board member Mike Landis would whisper and occasionally laugh while she was speaking, behavior I had seen before, from board members during my hearing and from children in my classroom. At other times, C. J. appeared to be texting.
-I missed being able to switch the channel during the latest photos and videos of construction to see how the St. Louis Cardinals were doing. It was the major drawback of attending the meeting in person.
-Though I was surrounded by people who have created an atmosphere of fear in the Joplin R-8 School District, I was amazed by just how small these people really are. A time is coming, in the near future, when we look back and wonder how people like these ever came into power and we will do everything we can to make sure that it never happens again.
(Note: I actually did have a friend or two in the room, but I have already cost one person a job this year because of C. J. Huff's vindictive nature and I don't want to add anyone to that list.)
Sentencing set for Joplin lawyer who embezzled half a million from clients
Sentencing for Joplin lawyer Daniel Whitworth, 58, who pleaded guilty in March to embezzling $586,739.894 from clients, has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. September 4 in Springfield.
The crime was spelled out in court documents.
"In his capacity as an attorney, the defendant received funds from his clients for the explicit purpose of resolving legal matters. The defendant was required to deposit funds provided by his clients into his attorney trust account. The defendant's clients had authorized him to withdraw those funds to pay expenses related to or to resolve legal cases.
"The defendant maintained an attorney trust account at Mid-Missouri Bank. The defendant also maintained personal bank accounts with Southwest Missouri Bank and Commerce Bank.
"The defendant represented LP&F Trucking, Inc., who hired the defendant to settle a lawsuit with Lyddon Aero Center.
"At various times between January 2004 and October 18, 2013, the defendant took money from clients and deposited those funds into his attorney trust account, or a personal account. At various times, without the knowledge and approval of his clients, the defendant withdrew client funds from this trust account or a personal account to spend on personal expenses.
"These transactions resulted in a wire transmission between the defendant's accounts and either a client's accounts or the account of a party receiving an unauthorized payment.
"None of the defendant's clients gave the defendant authority to use any of the funds to pay his personal expenses."
According to the indictment, during an eight-day period in June 2012, Whitworth took $60,000 from LP&F Trucking, Inc.
He told the IRS he made only $40,242 in income for 2011, when he "well knew and believed, he had received additional unreported income of approximately $120,776."
Sentencing will take place at a later date.
The crime was spelled out in court documents.
"In his capacity as an attorney, the defendant received funds from his clients for the explicit purpose of resolving legal matters. The defendant was required to deposit funds provided by his clients into his attorney trust account. The defendant's clients had authorized him to withdraw those funds to pay expenses related to or to resolve legal cases.
"The defendant maintained an attorney trust account at Mid-Missouri Bank. The defendant also maintained personal bank accounts with Southwest Missouri Bank and Commerce Bank.
"The defendant represented LP&F Trucking, Inc., who hired the defendant to settle a lawsuit with Lyddon Aero Center.
"At various times between January 2004 and October 18, 2013, the defendant took money from clients and deposited those funds into his attorney trust account, or a personal account. At various times, without the knowledge and approval of his clients, the defendant withdrew client funds from this trust account or a personal account to spend on personal expenses.
"These transactions resulted in a wire transmission between the defendant's accounts and either a client's accounts or the account of a party receiving an unauthorized payment.
"None of the defendant's clients gave the defendant authority to use any of the funds to pay his personal expenses."
According to the indictment, during an eight-day period in June 2012, Whitworth took $60,000 from LP&F Trucking, Inc.
He told the IRS he made only $40,242 in income for 2011, when he "well knew and believed, he had received additional unreported income of approximately $120,776."
Sentencing will take place at a later date.
Former Jasper teacher's aide bound over for trial on sex charge
The next hearing for Janice Lorene Rusk, 43, will be held 9 a.m. August 15.
Rusk was an aide in the special education department at Jasper High School at the time the crimes were allegedly committed.
The Jasper County Sheriff's Department began its investigation after being told by the Jasper Police Department of reports of sexual contact between Ms. Rusk and "several juvenile males," according to the probable cause statement.
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