Speaker Steven Tilley (Photo/St. Louis Public Radio)

— Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley called on State Auditor Tom Schweich to investigate the State of Missouri and Governor Jay Nixon’s involvement in the soured economic development project with the sweetener manufacturer Mamtek.

Last year, Nixon’s administration announced a package of incentives to encourage Mamtek, a Chinese company, to locate a facility in Moberly.

Nixon announced the deal last June, stressing the potential for jobs in mid-Missouri, but nearly a year later, the deal fell apart after the company was unable to fulfill a loan payment to Moberly.

“I worry that Governor Nixon’s Department of Economic Development does not have these procedures in place” to “determine the financial viability of a company before authorizing millions of taxpayer dollars for such a project,” said Tilley, in a letter to Schweich on Friday.

Tilley, a Republican candidate for Lt. Governor next year, asked Schweich to audit the tax credits awarded to Mamtek, audit the Department of Economic Development’s involvement in the deal, and audit the city of Moberly (which would require a petition from the residents or the governor).

“Missourians expect more accountability and more transparency from their state government,” Tilley said.

In previous interviews, Nixon has said no tax credits have been given to Mamtek, because the tax credits were tied to job creation which had not yet happened.

Spokesmen for Nixon and Schweich were not immediately responsive to requests for comment.

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Speaker Tilley letter to Auditor Schweich