KCFD and KCPD among biggest recipients of faulty masks under investigation in Missouri
An attempt to investigate the source of faulty KN95 masks distributed to Missouri fire and police agencies continues, as public officials clash over the release of information about the state’s use of emergency federal funding.
Auditor Nicole Galloway, a Democrat running for governor against incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Parson, announced in March that her office would begin looking into the state’s distribution of more than $2 billion in federal stimulus funding amid the coronavirus crisis.
Earlier this month, Missouri’s public safety director announced that 48,000 KN95 masks distributed to first responders around the state between April 2 and April 8 had been recalled.
Kansas City’s fire and police departments were among the biggest recipients of the faulty masks.
Throughout the coroanvirus pandemic, which has killed at least 288 people in Missouri, personal protective equipment such as masks, has been in high demand. Medical workers and first responders have warned that such equipment is in short supply.
Galloway is demanding answers and said she’s not getting them quickly enough.
Parson has responded that the auditor is attempting to conduct a pre-audit of the state’s spending during the pandemic, something the governor’s office said was ill-timed.
Faulty masks in Kansas City
Through a public records request, The Star obtained a list of the Kansas City area agencies that received shipments of the faulty masks.
About 630 masks were sent to the Kansas City Police Department, according to information provided by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a police department spokesman, said a “small number” of the masks were distributed. When the department learned the batch did not meet the standards of the Missouri Department of Health Services, an advisory was sent out to the department.
“The masks can still be used for face coverings but should not be considered a sufficient barrier when encountering individuals who may be infected with COVID-19,” the notice read.
Becchina said the department has since received a replacement shipment from the city’s emergency management office.
The Kansas City Fire Department received 1,692 faulty masks, the most of any area agency. Assistant Chief James Walker said none were used or distributed.
Caty Luebbert, a spokewoman for the State Emergency Management Agency, said more than 57,000 replacement masks provided by FEMA were distributed around the state on Saturday
Galloway’s initial request
On April 15, State Auditor Nicole Galloway pressed Sandra Karsten, director of Missouri’s Department of Public Safety, for answers, requesting information about how the masks were distributed, who provided them, how they were paid for and what safety evaluation they underwent before distribution.
“As our state faces this unprecedented challenge, the safety of our first responders should be our first priority,” Galloway said in the statement. “I am committed to making certain those on the frontlines of this health emergency are protected while ensuring Missourians’ tax dollars are safeguarded.”
Karsten’s office responded on April 22, saying that the masks were ordered March 25 from the vendor K&K Supply, Inc. The unused recalled masks were picked up by the vendor on April 17. Karsten said no money was paid for the masks.
Galloway responded by asking for additional information, including documents, purchase orders and invoices shared between the state and PPE vendors.
Parson’s response
On April 7, Galloway sent letters to every state agency requesting information about the federal stimulus funding.
Parson’s office responded to her requests collectively on Thursday, accusing Galloway of attempting to conduct a pre-audit of the state’s spending, something the office said was not within the scope of her position.
“During this public health emergency, state government must focus its limited resources on fulfilling our responsibilities to the citizens of Missouri,” read the letter signed by Christopher Limbaugh, General Counsel to the governor. “We hope you appreciate that we are unable to divert substantial resources during this time of state emergency to respond to your Office’s extra-constitutional investigation.”
The letter did include some documentation, but did not address all of Galloway’s questions.
“A pandemic is hardly the time to play politics and precious state resources will not be squandered in an attempt to more broadly respond to your ill-timed and ill-conceived letters,” the letter concluded.
Galloway responded to Parson’s office on Monday, saying she will continue examining the state’s spending even though “the letter failed to provide clear answers about the administration’s plans for distributing federal funds,” according to a news release.
“Our state is set to receive the largest amount of federal relief funds ever,” Galloway said in the statement. “Transparency and oversight are necessary to maintain the public’s trust.”
When Galloway’s office initially announced her plan to examine federal funding to Missouri in late March, she compared the effort to that of a predecessor who examined the state’s use of federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“As for the letter,your response demonstrates a misunderstanding of the law,” she wrote in Monday’s response to Parson’s office. “It is my duty to establish the appropriate systems of accounting for all public officials.”
She gave Parson until May 11 to respond to her request for additional information.
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 1:05 PM.
