State auditor sues Gov. Jay Nixon
State Auditor Tom Schweich sued Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday, saying Nixon is withholding $170 million of state funding from organizations statewide, including the UM System, according to a news release from the state auditor's office.
The lawsuit comes after Schweich's office sent a letter to Nixon's office Aug. 19 expressing concern over Nixon's reasoning behind withholding the funds that were appropriated with the state budget.
According to the news release, the auditor said he believes the governor withheld funds from the Republican-controlled legislature and auditor but did not hold funds from any Democrats.
"The governor has no excuse to violate the Missouri Constitution," Auditor Schweich said in the release. "He has the same obligation of transparency and accountability as any other elected official."