Two Clay County commissioners are accused of misusing public funds for birthday card mailings, targeting a group of voters in their districts. Gary Markenson, a former executive director of the Missouri Municipal League, which educates public officials on ethical issues, sued commissioners Gene Owen and Luann Ridgeway Markenson claimed that from since 2013, Owen and Ridgeway mailed out birthday cards to voters in their districts, who were at least 62 years old. The annual postage was budgeted for $10,000 for each commissioner. The cards included a feedback survey and a pass for two free admissions to the Jesse James Farm and Museum. In court Thursday, staffers brought subpoenaed evidence and gave testimony. Assistant County Administrator Nicole Brown said her staff did not keep track of how coupons were mailed. Nearly 600 were redeemed between 2014 and 2016. Ridgeway hired Brown when the two worked in state government in Jefferson City, when Ridgeway was a state senator. The county has hired at least two law firms to defend the commissioners. As of December, the county paid $49,000 in taxpayer funds to cover legal fees for the defense. It could be two weeks before there's a decision in the case.

Two Clay County commissioners are accused of misusing public funds for birthday card mailings, targeting a group of voters in their districts.

Gary Markenson, a former executive director of the Missouri Municipal League, which educates public officials on ethical issues, sued commissioners Gene Owen and Luann Ridgeway


Markenson claimed that from since 2013, Owen and Ridgeway mailed out birthday cards to voters in their districts, who were at least 62 years old.

The annual postage was budgeted for $10,000 for each commissioner.

The cards included a feedback survey and a pass for two free admissions to the Jesse James Farm and Museum.

In court Thursday, staffers brought subpoenaed evidence and gave testimony.

Assistant County Administrator Nicole Brown said her staff did not keep track of how coupons were mailed. Nearly 600 were redeemed between 2014 and 2016.

Ridgeway hired Brown when the two worked in state government in Jefferson City, when Ridgeway was a state senator.

The county has hired at least two law firms to defend the commissioners.

As of December, the county paid $49,000 in taxpayer funds to cover legal fees for the defense.

It could be two weeks before there's a decision in the case.