Missouri's use of federal funds under fire
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Missouri's use of federal funds under fire

Date: March 19, 2013
By: Andrew Weil
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A state audit found hundreds of Missouri daycare providers have been collecting government money for children that weren't even there.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: State Auditor Tom Schweich says a recent audit revealed more than $300,000 was paid last year alone to childcare providers who provided care for less children than they claimed.

The money in question came from a fund controlled by the Department of Social Services.

Schweich says the providers were claiming money they clearly weren't entitled to.

Actuality:  SCHWCH1.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "If the child leaves the program, you can't continue to bill for the absences and that's what we found was happening. They were literally billing for children that weren't there."

In response, the Department of Social Services says it agrees with the findings and plans to address this issue.

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

Intro: 
A recent state audit found some Missourians have been cashing in on the state's welfare program even though they aren't eligible.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: State Auditor Tom Schweich says an audit of how Missouri spent $68 million in federal funds last year shows continued problems with determining eligibility for welfare programs.

Schweich says one risk in mistakenly covering people that aren't eligible in the program is that the federal government can come in to try and take back the money from the state that shouldn't have been spent.

Actuality:  SCHWEICH.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "The bigger risk is needy families and needy elderly people, there isn't going to be enough money for them because people who are not entitled to those funds are getting them."

Schweich also says the federal government already has a pending lawsuit against the state to recoup past misspent money.

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