Patrol investigates potential misuse of Cole County funds

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the potential misuse of funds in Cole County.

It started after Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler asked the patrol in November 2019 to look into a county official possibly misusing county funds. Captain John Hotz said Thursday that the investigation is ongoing. Hotz did not name the official being investigated.

Under the Missouri Sunshine law, ABC 17 News was able to obtain a copy of the letter sent to the patrol.

In the letter, Wheeler writes "It's been brought to my attention of a possible law violation by one of my County Commissioners, Kris Scheperle. Since I work with him on a daily basis and know him personally, I am recusing myself and requesting an investigation by DDCC."

Wheeler said he was notified that WeeBee Hauling, a business owned by Scheperle, was being used during a project at the Cole County Courthouse.

The county had previously awarded a landscaping design project at the courthouse to Central Missouri Professional Services (CMPS). After the design was approved, CPMS had to bid out the construction and the Cole County Commission had to award the bid. In October, the commission awarded the project to GBH Builders and, according to Wheeler's letter and meeting minutes, Scheperle abstained from the vote. GBH, in turn, subcontracted with Central Missouri Construction Services and Meyer Electric.

Wheeler said during the construction phase, he was told WeeBee Hauling was being used at the courthouse. He went out to the site and saw a WeeBee Hauling truck being loaded.

In the letter, Wheeler cites a Missouri law that states, "No county commissioner shall, directly or indirectly, become a party to any contract to which the county is a party, or act as a road or bridge commissioner, either general or special, or keeper of any poor person."

Scheperle did not immediately respond to an email or phone call Thursday for comment.