Missouri News

Nixon Orders State Audit Of St. Louis' Recorder Of Deeds Office

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,

Marshall Griffin

Published September 22, 2014 at 8:29 PM CDT

Sharon Q. Carpenter, former STL Recorder of Deeds.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered state Auditor Tom Schweich to conduct an audit of the office of the St. Louis recorder of deeds.

In a brief written statement issued Monday, Nixon gave no explanation or reason for the audit.Schweichalso issued a short statement Monday, saying that he and his office "plan to move forward with the audit as requested." On Tuesday, a spokesman for Schweich added that the audit "will not be completed or released by Election Day."

The contest for recorder of deeds may be the most contentious race in the city of St. Louis this November.

That's because Sharon Carpenter, the long-time recorder of deeds, resigned earlier this year following a probe into whether she violated the state's nepotism law. There were also allegations regarding misuse of funds and using her office for campaign-related tasks. Carpenter was nominated in the August Democratic primary because her name was still on the ballot, and she’s now seeking re-election.

After her resignation, though, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay appointed Jennifer Florida to serve as recorder of deeds. At the time, Florida served as alderwoman for the 15th ward. Despite being a Democrat, Florida is running as an independent in hopes of remaining recorder of deeds. Florida and Carpenter are also being challenged by Republican nominee Erik Shelquist.

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Marshall Griffin

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.

See stories by Marshall Griffin

Marshall Griffin

St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.