Release of Audit Shows RGA and Missouri Republicans Attempted An Unprecedented Campaign To Muddy The Waters And Protect Governor Parson

State Auditor Nicole Galloway demands transparency and accountability in government, and that’s scaring Missouri’s Republicans and their special-interest friends. Today’s release of the close-out audit of former AG Josh Hawley’s office, as requested by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, proved that Missouri’s legislative Republicans and the RGA’s attempts to discredit the report before it was even public had no merit at all. Instead, it was an unprecedented and politically motivated effort by Jefferson City insiders to muddy the waters before Missourians even had a chance to see the facts for themselves. 
 
Rather than waiting just one week for the report to be released, Republican state legislators demanded a hyper-partisan special committee hearing to question the auditor’s office over an audit that none of them had seen. The move was completely unprecedented, as the legislature had never before investigated an audit before its release. Instead of letting the report speak for itself, Republicans tried to spin a tall tale. The RGA jumped on board this political sham, eager to do anything to distract Missouri voters from Governor Mike Parson’s record of insider deals and extreme positions.
 
“It’s clear that Mike Parson and his Republican allies are scared of the truth and terrified of Nicole Galloway,” said Deputy Communications Director Christina Amestoy. “Republicans in Jefferson City wasted taxpayer dollars pulling unprecedented political moves to try and discredit Nicole Galloway and career audit staff, and the RGA gleefully piled on to this political sham to distract from Parson’s extreme record. Today’s audit release made it abundantly clear the RGA and legislative Republicans were only politically motivated and looking to throw mud at a credible public servant.”