Audit: Former Mo. county official misused wards' money

A former county official from southeast Missouri used other people's money to buy herself pet food, children's clothes and a dog sweater, according to a state audit released Wednesday

Former Dunklin County Public Administrator Shawnee Trowbridge was the court-appointed guardian for about 200 people who could not care for themselves. Appointed in 2007 by Gov. Matt Blunt, Trowbridge was tasked with overseeing her wards' finances.

The audit found questionable purchases on five of some 21 Wal-Mart and Via gift cards she bought with her wards' money. Trowbridge bought some of the gift cards to ensure her wards' assets remained low enough to qualify for Medicaid, the audit said.

Trowbridge resigned in early March and repaid $800 as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the attorney general's office.

Read more from The Associated Press.