A St. Louis councilwoman delivers the winning bid to operate a state license facility in spite of her personal financial troubles. KTRS's McGraw Milhaven broke the story Wednesday morning. Now, Gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence's campaign is calling for an investigation into what they say is the unethical rewarding of political contributors.
According to a report made public by Milhaven, councilwoman Kathleen Burkett declared bankruptcy in December with over $139,000 of credit card debt.
In the public filing, it was also discovered that she owed over $8,000 in back federal taxes in 2008 and 2009. Her bid won out over several other independent companies for the coveted license by the Missouri Department of Revenue, with Burkett scoring the highest despite her financial problems.
The Maplewood fee office is considered to be one of the highest producing offices in Missouri.
Last month, Milhaven obtained audio of Burkett discussing patronage jobs at a budget meeting in December of 2009.
"I understand the system and I support that system and that's the way it's been forever and ever," Burkett said. "To me, it's like paying union dues.
Jared Craighead, Spence's campaign manager, told KTRS News that his candidate believes this activity must be investigated. Craighead says, "We are calling on the Attorney General and the US Attorney to investigate, it's incredibly troubling, but not inconsistent with Governor Nixon's pattern of rewarding supporters."
When KTRS called Attorney General Chris Koster's office, they had not received any official request from the Spence campaign.
Governor Nixon's campaign has not yet responded for requests for comment.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A St. Louis County councilwoman wins a bid to operate a state license facility locally --even though she filed for bankruptcy months before.
KTRS' own McGraw Milhaven broke the story during his show Wednesday morning that democratic St Louis County councilwoman Kathleen Burkett's company, Deer Creek License Office Management, was awarded a contract Friday to run Maplewood's licensing fee office.
Milhaven reports five months ago, Burkett declared bankruptcy with over 139- thousand dollars of credit card debt.
In the public filing, it was also discovered that she owed over 8,000 dollars in back Federal Taxes in 2008 and 2009. Her bid won out over several other independent companies for the coveted license by the Missouri Department of Revenue, with Burkett scoring the highest despite her financial problems.
The Maplewood fee office is considered to be on of the highest producing offices in the State.
County Executive Charlie Dooley and County Assessor Jake Zimmerman were both named as references in her request.
Milhaven last month obtained audio of Burkett talking about patronage jobs at a budget meeting in December of '09.
Burkett says "I understand the system and I support that system and that's the way it's been forever and ever...to me it's like paying union dues."
The Dept of Revenue, headed by Alana Barragan-Scott and Governor Jay Nixon signed off on her bid.
All those involved are Democrats.
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