Investigations Dashboard

Board members of the St. Charles County Port Authority appear to have awarded contracts to companies in which they hold ownership interests, potentially violating Missouri ethics statutes and RSMo Chapter 105. Sunshine Law requests for board meeting minutes and financial disclosures are pending.

METG314 documented a pattern of no-bid contract awards totaling $2.3 million to vendors connected to school board members. The full report was published in February 2026 and referred to the Missouri Ethics Commission for review.

Multiple citizen complaints allege that the Presiding Commissioner directed county employees to perform landscaping and construction work on private property during business hours using county-owned vehicles and equipment. Sunshine Law request submitted; response overdue.

Questions have emerged regarding the political appointment process for MSD board seats, including allegations that qualified applicants were bypassed in favor of politically connected candidates without proper public review. METG314 is monitoring board meeting records and public comment submissions.

Columbia City Council appears to have used closed session improperly on at least six occasions in 2025 to discuss matters that do not qualify for executive session exemptions under RSMo 610.021. Records requests for meeting minutes and legal counsel communications have been submitted.

Analysis of civil asset forfeiture fund expenditure records obtained via Sunshine Law reveals $187,000 in undocumented disbursements over three fiscal years. The published report documents spending patterns inconsistent with statutory requirements under RSMo 513.623.

Following voter approval of a $195 million bond issue, community members raised concerns about the bidding process for major construction contracts. METG314 is tracking Citizens' Oversight Committee meeting records and bond expenditure reports for compliance with Proposition C accountability requirements.

Two former city employees allege they were demoted and subsequently terminated after raising procurement concerns internally. METG314 is reviewing personnel records, termination documentation, and internal communications obtained through Sunshine Law requests to assess potential whistleblower protection violations.

METG314 investigated the procurement process for a $340,000 utility rate study after a citizen complaint alleged the RFP was tailored to a specific vendor. After review of bid documents and city council records, METG314 concluded the process, while lacking best practices, did not violate applicable statutes. Case closed October 2025.

Following citizen complaints about officer conduct, METG314 requested internal affairs investigation records from Missouri Highway Patrol Troop C under Ch. 610 RSMo. The agency denied the request citing an overly broad law enforcement exemption. An appeal is being prepared citing precedent under Missouri Supreme Court rulings on public records access.