Democrats say Parson should fire his COO, cancel contract that is a 'shady deal' [View all]

JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Democrats on Monday called for Gov. Mike Parson to fire his chief operating officer and cancel a state contract awarded to the COO's former employer.

Parson responded Monday evening through his spokesman by defending the state's bidding process and the agency that granted the contract in question.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Sunday that on June 7, the state’s Office of Administration awarded a $2.7 million contract to New York-based McKinsey & Co.. The company's job would be to assess Missouri’s Medicaid program to identify any fraud, waste or abuse.

McKinsey & Co. is the former employer of Drew Erdmann, who last year accepted the position of COO, which was created by an executive order issued by former Gov. Eric Greitens. Missouri's executive branch had never had a COO before Greitens created the position.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article213386204.html