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State Audit Gives Jackson County Court 'Fair' Grade

A state audit of Jackson County Circuit Court finds continuing weaknesses in its accounting controls and gives it only a “fair” rating.

The report by the office of Missouri State Auditor Nicole R. Galloway comes three years after the court’s administrator was found to have bought nearly $78,000 worth of personal items with a court purchasing card. The administrator, Teresa York, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and was sentenced to two years in federal prison.

Although the new court administrator has set up additional internal controls, the audit found persistent problems. It pointed to unbalanced ledgers and $6 million in investments that didn’t comply with state law and the court’s own investment guidelines.

The audit also noted that in a sampling of 45 cases, four had hearings that were canceled more than a year ago but had not been rescheduled. It called that “a core function of any court.”

In its response, the court said it had implemented all of the audit’s recommendations.

The audit covered the year ending Dec. 31, 2013. According to the Office of State Courts Administrator, Jackson County Circuit Court logged more than 70,000 case filings in fiscal 2013 – the second most of any circuit after St. Louis County, which logged nearly 109,000. The filings included 47,763 civil cases, 15,392 criminal cases, 2,734 juvenile cases and 4,364 probate cases.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Galloway state auditor last month. Galloway, formerly the Boone County treasurer, took over the position from John Watson, who was appointed on an interim basis following the death of the previous auditor, Tom Schweich. 

Schweich, a Republican candidate for governor, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Feb. 26.

Dan Margolies has been a reporter for the Kansas City Business Journal, The Kansas City Star, and KCUR Public Radio. He retired as a reporter in December 2022 after a 37-year journalism career.
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