![Summer Ballentine FILE - Republican Scott Fitzpatrick speaks to reporters after being sworn in as Missouri's new state auditor on Jan. 9, 2023, during a ceremony in the Jefferson City Capitol building. Fitzpatrick said on Monday, May 6, 2024, that an audit of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office is delayed because officials in his office can't locate former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. Gardner, a Democrat, resigned last year amid concerns by state Republicans over the operation of her office. (AP Photo/Summer Ballentine, File)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/7041693eede6402f9ee41a7e47f0e5e4/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
FILE - Republican Scott Fitzpatrick speaks to reporters after being sworn in as Missouri's new state auditor on Jan. 9, 2023, during a ceremony in the Jefferson City Capitol building. Fitzpatrick said on Monday, May 6, 2024, that an audit of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office is delayed because officials in his office can't locate former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. Gardner, a Democrat, resigned last year amid concerns by state Republicans over the operation of her office. (AP Photo/Summer Ballentine, File)
![David Carson FILE - St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner sits behind her attorneys in a courtroom, April 18, 2023, in St. Louis, Mo. Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said on Monday, May 6, 2024, that an audit of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office is delayed because officials in his office can't locate former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. Gardner, a Democrat, resigned last year amid concerns by state Republicans over the operation of her office. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, Pool, File)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/22363aed0bdc482096fb1b4ba2a7c616/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
FILE - St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner sits behind her attorneys in a courtroom, April 18, 2023, in St. Louis, Mo. Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said on Monday, May 6, 2024, that an audit of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office is delayed because officials in his office can't locate former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. Gardner, a Democrat, resigned last year amid concerns by state Republicans over the operation of her office. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, Pool, File)