Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has announced the launch of an audit into the city of Merriam Woods following the discovery of possible misuse of city funds. The city’s Board of Aldermen made the request for the audit after discrepancies and misappropriation were found in the city’s bank accounts and credit cards. The State Auditor’s office received credible concerns about misused funds from the Whistleblower Hotline, leading to an official audit request from city officials.
The audit, initiated on July 23, 2024, aims to provide a complete picture of what happened and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. In 2023, a former police chief was found guilty of stealing and forgery for misappropriating police equipment and forging lease agreements. Following that, a former city clerk pleaded guilty to a $68,000 fraud scheme in January 2024 after using city credit cards and bank accounts for personal purchases, including a $5,500 motorcycle.
Auditor Fitzpatrick commended the quick action taken by city officials to prevent the misuse of additional taxpayer dollars and highlighted the importance of providing residents with answers and a roadmap to prevent such incidents in the future. With the audit underway, the city and residents of Merriam Woods can expect transparency and accountability in addressing the misuse of funds.
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