Sarah Steelman, the top recruit from D.C. Republicans, is refusing to respond to reports that “most of the key documents” from Steelman’s tenure as Missouri state treasurer are missing from state archives. Now,new evidence has emerged that Steelman actually sought to increase penalties for public officials who “purposefully” destroy records protected under Missouri’s Sunshine Law. If Steelman “purposefully” destroyed these records, she could face $5,000 in fines.
“Sarah, humor us. If there is a simple explanation for what has happened to these records, then we are all ears. But the public deserves an explanation. Time and time again, you have hailed yourself as a champion of sunlight and bragged to the press about the procedures in your office that were supposed to protect these public records,” said Matt Canter, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “Either explain what has happened to the documents or pay the penalty that you yourself proposed.”
In the Missouri State Senate, Steelman sponsored measures aimed to increase penalties for public officials who fail to retain public records. She sponsored the bill that sought to increase the penalty for closing these records from $500 to $5,000. When Steelman ran for state treasurer in 2004, she touted her work to punish those who violated the Sunshine Law and even bloviated about why it was important for the State treasurer to be more transparent:
The Missouri State Treasurer is entrusted with a substantial sum of money. This money, of course, belongs to the taxpayers who, in turn, have a right to know how, when, with whom and why and where this money is being invested. In my time in the Missouri Senate, I have worked for greater governmental accountability and increased penalties to those who violate the sunshine law. I will carry this fight to the Treasurer's Office [Kansas City Star, 7/10/04]
Yesterday, new evidence emerged that “most of the key documents” from Sarah Steelman’s tenure as state treasurer are missing, even though they are considered public record and are legally protected from destruction under Missouri state law.
Steelman: “I Have Worked For . . . Increased Penalties To Those Who Violate The Sunshine Law. I Will Carry This Fight To The Treasurer's Office.” In a 2004 candidate questionnaire for the Kansas City Star, Steelman said, “Make the Missouri State Treasurer Accountable to Missourians- The Missouri State Treasurer is entrusted with a substantial sum of money. This money, of course, belongs to the taxpayers who, in turn, have a right to know how, when, with whom and why and where this money is being invested. In my time in the Missouri Senate, I have worked for greater governmental accountability and increased penalties to those who violate the sunshine law. I will carry this fight to the Treasurer's Office.” [Kansas City Star, 7/10/04]
Steelman Sponsored Revised Sunshine Law After Working On Updates For Five Years – Updated Law Increased Fines From $500 To $5,000. Reported the Associated Press, “The bill's Senate sponsor, Republican Sarah Steelman, of Rolla, said she has been working on revising the Sunshine Law for five years and believes the new version's compromises are useful. "It is the bedrock of democracy to make sure that we have an informed public, and to do that, you have to be able to access your government," Steelman said. . . . The old law allowed a judge to impose a fine of up to $500 for a ‘purposeful’ violation. The new law boosts the possible fine to $5,000. It also creates the category of ‘knowing’ violation, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.” [Associated Press, 6/8/04]
Steelman, McCaskill Supported Increased Fines For Open Records Violations – Steelman: Higher Fine Necessary To Ensure Compliance. Reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “The bills would increase the level of fine that could be imposed to $2,500 from $500. Proponents, including Auditor Claire McCaskill and the sponsor of one of the bills, Sen. Sarah Steelman, R-Rolla, said the greater fine was necessary to ensure compliance. Steelman's bill would also make any illegal closing of a record or meeting a violation. Currently a higher standard must be proven -- that an agency purposely violated the law. The measure would also extend the law to the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri and the commissioners of the Bi-State Development Agency.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/17/02]
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