Former Missouri governor’s flights on state plane ‘did not appear necessary’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Audit found 58 of 174 trips couldn't be accounted for in the audit.
- Audit identified six wasteful areas, including $421,822 used to subsidize other agencies.
- The office received a "fair" rating, indicating issues needing immediate attention.
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick couldn’t find a valid reason for a third of former Gov. Mike Parson’s use of state aircraft, according to an audit published Thursday.
Fitzpatrick reviewed the governor’s office during the final leg of his tenure, from July 1, 2024, to Jan. 13, 2025. The former Republican governor didn’t state a reason for the flights on air logs, but Fitzpatrick was able to determine reasons for some trips by reviewing old media advisories and news releases.
In total, 58 of the governor’s 174 trips couldn’t be accounted for in the audit. Throughout his tenure, Parson faced scrutiny for his use of state-owned aircraft and for using donors’ private planes paid for by political action committees.
The flights were one of six areas the audit identified as wasteful use of taxpayer dollars. The audit also notes that:
- The governor’s office provided unallowable payments for employees in overtime pay and tuition reimbursement.
- The office didn’t completely save records with state archives as required by law.
- The governor’s office inappropriately used $421,822 meant for their own office to subsidize other agencies.
- Employees didn’t take adequate measures to minimize staff travel costs contrary to state policy.
- There wasn’t adequate documentation supporting the reason for events hosted by the governor.
The overall performance of the office during the audit period was described as “fair,” the second-lowest of four possible ratings. A “fair” grade indicates that there are multiple places with inadequate policies that require management’s immediate attention.
Parson appointed Fitzpatrick, a Republican, to the state treasurer’s office in 2018. In a written response to the audit, Parson said he strongly disagrees with the conclusions presented.
“During the audit process, my team and I met with your staff to address and explain each of the so-called findings in detail. We provided context, documentation and clarification,” Parson wrote. “Unfortunately, none of those explanations were meaningfully reflected in the final report.”
Parson defended the office’s policies, and said calling them areas of concern was “misleading.” The chief of staff for Gov. Mike Kehoe, the current governor, also responded to the letter and said many of the issues identified in the report have not continued in his administration.
“There are no persons in policy-making positions serving under Governor Kehoe who also served during the time period of the auditor’s report,” Adam Gresham, Kehoe’s chief of staff, said in a written response to the audit. “I will note that most of the findings do not apply to the policies and operations of the Governor’s office since January 13, 2025.”
