Gov. Matt Blunt’s administration acknowledged Friday that it broke the law when it asked the State Highway Patrol to investigate allegations against state Agriculture Director Fred Ferrell.
State law governing the Highway Patrol forbids it from performing any duties not spelled out in law, which generally says it shall enforce traffic laws and conduct criminal investigations.
Ferrell was reinstated May 19 after being placed on paid leave during a two-week investigation into his workplace conduct. The administration would not discuss specifics of the allegations.