JEFFERSON CITY - In a stunning public admission, Robin Carnahan said it was OK for the law firm of state auditor candidate Susan Montee’s husband to continue conducting business in violation of state law.

Montee, who audited the books and personally handled the administrative matters of her husband James Montee and his law firm, failed to file an annual financial statement with the secretary of state’s office in early 2004 which resulted in the “administrative dissolution” of the law firm.

Under state law, once a business is administratively dissolved it is violating the law by conducting any other business other than wrapping up loose ends to close up shop.

The Montee law firm, however, continued to conduct other business and Carnahan’s office last week downplayed the illegal activity in an interview with The Landmark newspaper in Platte County. (www.plattecountylandmark.com/Article10386.htm)

“It’s not uncommon for dissolved businesses to continue to conduct business as they apply for reinstatement,” Carnahan spokeswoman Stacie Temple matter-of-factly told the newspaper. Temple and another Carnahan official later “acknowledged that violating the administrative dissolution is a misdemeanor crime under Missouri law.”

The penalties for breaking the law include a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

“It is a disgrace that Robin Carnahan would make excuses for the Montee law firm’s illegal activity in order to protect the Democrat candidate for state auditor from public scrutiny,” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party. “With her public statements, Robin Carnahan’s office has made it clear that Democrat candidates will not be held to the same legal standards as other Missourians.”