Missouri auditor calls on USDA to intervene over millions in questionable food program spending
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Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is calling on the federal government to intervene after repeated audits uncovered problems with the state's oversight of a federally funded food assistance program.
Fitzpatrick sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, urging federal officials to review audit findings involving the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
The concerns center on the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which reimburses child care centers and adult care facilities for meals served to eligible participants.
A statewide audit found that inadequate oversight has allowed improper and unsupported reimbursement claims to continue despite repeated recommendations for improvement.
Auditors examined 60 monitoring reviews involving participating facilities and sponsors. Of the 58 reviews in which reimbursement claims were tested and errors quantified, 50 contained overpayments or underpayments.
Those reviews identified $72,561 in overpayments and $4,275 in underpayments, resulting in a net overpayment of $68,286.
The errors represented at least 12% of the meal reimbursements tested.
Fitzpatrick warned that similar problems across approximately $69.9 million in program reimbursements could expose taxpayers to significant additional losses.
"You get what you tolerate," Fitzpatrick said, accusing state officials of repeatedly failing to address deficiencies identified by his office.
The auditor says his office has recommended stronger oversight procedures for three consecutive years, including expanding investigations when significant reimbursement errors are discovered.
However, the Department of Health and Senior Services disputes the audit findings.
In its written response, the department maintained that its procedures comply with USDA requirements and that the sampling disproportionately involved higher-risk facilities. Officials also said the identified overpayments were either recovered or fell below a federal threshold, leaving no questioned federal costs.
Fitzpatrick's office maintains those recoveries do not adequately address weaknesses that could allow future improper payments.
The auditor also pointed to a separate investigation released in 2025 that identified insufficient oversight in food assistance programs connected to millions of dollars in alleged fraud and subsequent federal indictments.
Fitzpatrick is now asking the USDA to formally review the findings and determine whether additional corrective measures are necessary.
The request comes as Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe separately announced Operation Show-Me the Money, a state and federal initiative targeting fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs.
