Ashcroft closes investigation into Josh Hawley

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft closed his investigation into possible election violations against Sen. Josh Hawley.

The original complaint was submitted on Nov. 6 by nonprofit organization American Democracy Legal Fund. The organization accused Hawley of using public funds as Missouri’s attorney general to support his candidacy for U.S. senate.

The complaint cited emails obtained by the Kansas City Star in October, which alleged that Hawley’s staff, who were paid by taxpayer dollars, were instructed by out-of-state political consultants to raise awareness of Hawley’s profile.

“Based on the documents my office reviewed, and the interviews conducted, I cannot say that there is reasonable trustworthy information that an offense has been committed,” Ashcroft said in a press release.

Ashcroft’s office went through documents from the attorney general’s office and conducted interviews on the matter.

“The documents reviewed only show that the consultants assisted AGO employees implementing Attorney General Josh Hawley’s priorities,” the report said.

Ashcroft said no statement of probable cause would be issued, and the investigation was considered closed.

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