Feds' Eck: Subpoenas Delivered Over DHSS Mismanagement

Investigations into possible misfeasance by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and former Director Julie Eckstein are apparently broader and even more serious than has been previously reported, with federal investigators examining the department's actions.

Sources tell FiredUp Missouri that the Office of Inspector General within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued federal subpoenas to top brass and staff at the Department of Health in connection with the investigation into misallocation of federal grant monies.

Blunt Health appointee Eckstein made a hastily announced departure from her post on Monday, and FiredUp Missouri was the first to report on her exit's likely nexus to a internal dustup over misallocated federal funds and a subsequent lawsuit related to firings intended to cover up department mismanagement. Blunt administration spokespersons have claimed that Eckstein's exit was unrelated to internal investigations or wrongful termination lawsuits, but have also been careful not to deny wrongdoing by Eckstein in her role at Health and Senior Services.

Subpoenas from the HHS inspector general do not represent the first time that federal authorities have looked into operations of the Blunt administration. Last year, Blunt's management of the state's patronage license offices inspired an FBI probe into the award and operation of those offices.