Holden, a small Johnson County town of roughly 2,300 people, is suddenly under a statewide microscope after Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick opened a formal audit into the city’s books. The move follows felony charges against former city treasurer Trista Garrett, who prosecutors say racked up more than $100,000 in personal spending on city credit cards. City officials say they asked for outside help to untangle the numbers while the criminal case plays out.
According to a press release from the auditor’s office, the review will cover Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2025, and is expected to "provide a detailed accounting of the alleged fraud," language cited in coverage by KSHB. The station reported that the request for an audit followed a meeting between Holden leaders and the Johnson County prosecuting attorney. KSHB also noted a case review in Garrett’s criminal matter is set for July 27, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for Aug. 31.
Prosecutors charged Garrett in November 2025 with identity theft and stealing after an investigation by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Bank records and court filings describe extensive activity on city accounts. KMBC reported that detectives examined UMB Bank statements showing about 1,000 transactions and more than $120,000 charged to city credit cards, while KCTV cited court records that highlighted sizable Venmo transfers. Garrett turned herself in, posted bond, and was later fired by the city, according to local reporting.
Holden Officials Cooperate With Investigators
The City of Holden says it has cut ties with its former treasurer and is working with law enforcement. In a statement last November, the city announced that Garrett had been terminated and that it was cooperating with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, according to a release from the City of Holden. The sheriff’s office said detectives launched their own investigation after Holden police reported potential misconduct by a city employee. City leaders have told residents they are seeking both criminal accountability and tighter financial safeguards at city hall to avoid a repeat performance.
Scope And Purpose Of The Audit
Fitzpatrick’s team will comb through Holden’s purchasing procedures, credit card protocols, and related financial records to decide whether taxpayer money was misused and whether the city’s internal controls failed. "Taxpayers deserve answers about how this was able to happen," Fitzpatrick said in the office statement quoted by KSHB. The auditor’s office has also signaled it is prepared to coordinate with criminal investigators if its findings are needed in court.
How To Share Tips
Residents who think they know more about what went on are being invited to speak up. The State Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline can be reached at 800-347-8597, and tips can also be sent by email to [email protected]. Informants can file online as well, using the whistleblower reporting form operated by the Missouri State Auditor's Office. The portal allows anonymous submissions and lets users upload documents for auditors to review.
Legal Status And What To Watch
Garrett is facing felony counts of identity theft and stealing, according to charging documents and local news reports. She surrendered at the Johnson County Jail, posted a $10,000 cash-only bond, and her criminal case remains pending in county court while the audit unfolds. If the auditor’s office uncovers additional evidence of misuse, its report could drive policy changes in Holden’s financial operations and hand prosecutors more material as they decide how aggressively to pursue the case.
