Blunt seeks audit of St. Louis police department

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Gov. Blunt is asking State Auditor Susan Montee for a comprehensive audit of the St. Louis police department after reports that hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars are missing.

He says it appears there was "an inappropriate relationship between the department and Metropolitan Towing."

Montee agreed last week to look into the towing records, but Blunt said Sunday he is seeking a full audit of police department finances.

For years, police contracted with St. Louis Metropolitan Towing to tow and impound cars. The contract was ended in July after police revealed that the firm allowed many officers -- and former Police Chief Joe Mokwa's daughter -- to borrow the seized vehicles, sometimes for weeks or months at a time. Mokwa retired amid concerns raised by the scandal.