Missouri's Division of finance refuses to submit documents and refuses to talk to the media
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Missouri's Division of finance refuses to submit documents and refuses to talk to the media

Date: May 3, 2011
By: Andrew Weil
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missouri's State Auditor says the Division of Finance is obstructing his investigation into their bank examination procedures.
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Not only are Division of Finance officials refusing to turn over bank examination documents to the state, but now they're refusing to talk with the media.

A spokesperson refused to grant a recorded phone interview and wouldn't make the director of the division available for comment. 

In a written statement, the Division of Finance stated it's a criminal offense for them to release bank exam records. 

Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich says there's an exception in the law which allows certain state officials to get the documents.

Actuality:  SCHWEICH.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "What they're worried about is that we already found stuff in what we looked at and they're worried about us finding more stuff, that's what's going on here and nothing else."

Schweich says his office will do whatever is necessary to report back to Missourians on how bank oversight is going.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro: 
Missouri's Auditor says the state's Division of Finance is obstructing his investigation into how they're examining banks.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Auditor Tom Schweich has sent subpoenas for bank examination documents to the Division of Finance.

Schweich says records will show whether the Division of Finance is following the right procedures when it's checking up on banks.

In a written statement, the Division said it's against the law to release those records. 

But Schweich says his office is allowed to look at them.

Actuality:  SCHWCH2.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "At one point they're saying they can't get us this performance audit, one point they're saying they can't give it to us because they'll go to jail, then they give some of it to us; I mean, what they're doing is obstructing our investigation, there's no other word for it."

Schweich says his office frequently works with confidential records and would enter into a confidentiality agreement.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.