Missouri Auditor Claims GOP Nonprofit Suing to 'Intimidate' and 'Obstruct'
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Missouri Auditor Claims GOP Nonprofit Suing to 'Intimidate' and 'Obstruct'

Date: December 1, 2017
By: Jack Morrisroe
State Capitol Bureau
Links: 1128, 1130, 1125

Intro: 
Missouri's State Auditor claims a Republican-connected nonprofit tried to stall an investigation with a lawsuit
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OutCue: SOC

Wrap: Missouri Alliance for Freedom is a nonprofit with the goal to promote quote "individual, economic and religious liberty." It is represented by Graves Garrett, a law firm named for state Republican Party Chairman Todd Graves and his business partner.

The nonprofit sued in July to disclose documents from the auditor's office, arguing that some emails about a Department of Revenue investigation were withheld. 

Lawyers for Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway asked to dismiss the lawsuit on Wednesday. A statement by Galloway's office said the lawsuit quote, "appears to be a deliberate effort to intimidate the State Auditor and obstruct a thorough review of state agencies."

The auditor's office said a public record request was withdrawn two weeks before the documents would be ready. They said a larger request came soon after.

Galloway is up for her first-ever election next year. She was appointed by Governor Jay Nixon after the death of Auditor Tom Schweich.

Jack Morrisroe, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

Intro: 
Missouri's auditor faces a Republican nonprofit's lawsuit and alleged noncompliance from Governor Greitens leading up to her first-ever election.
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Wrap: State Auditor Nicole Galloway was appointed by Governor Jay Nixon after her Republican predecessor passed away. She became the only Democrat in state executive office after Republicans won all other positions last year. In twenty-eighteen, the only state executive office up for election is hers.

Galloway issued her first subpoena to the Department of Revenue in April, claiming that the governor's office directed the department to refuse to share information. Governor Eric Greitens called her subpoena a quote 'political stunt.'

Further, a Republican-affiliated nonprofit sued for records about an audit on tax returns. The Democratic auditor's office said the lawsuit is meant to interfere with the audit that began in March. It is still ongoing.

Jack Morrisroe, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

Intro: 
TEASER
RunTime: 0:09
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Wrap: I'm Jack Morrisroe with details on Missouri's Democratic state auditor claiming a Republican-leaning nonprofit is interfering in an investigation.