JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is on the defensive after the state auditor claimed he violated state law by withholding records. Ashcroft is accused of failing to turn over cybersecurity reviews of Missouri’s 116 local election authorities. Ashcroft on Tuesday refuted what he called “false accusations” made by Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s audit of the secretary of state’s office. Both men are Republicans. Ashcroft also is running for governor. Ashcroft says the reviews include confidential information that his office is not allowed to release. Fitzpatrick says he stands by the audit.
