We’ve saved taxpayers money, while still providing terrific services to Missourians. We’ve cut red tape and costs for small businesses so they can focus on growing their businesses and creating jobs. And we have helped consumers and investors learn how to better protect themselves, and recovered more than $10 billion for victims of financial fraud.

We’ve made Missouri history come alive by making our state’s precious historical resources available on-line to hundreds of millions of people all around the world. And, despite the efforts of some to let politics interfere with Missourians right to vote, we’ve protected the rights of voters and the integrity of our elections so that we can all have faith in the fairness of the results.

Without question, serving the state and people that I love has been the honor of my life. Your friendship and support over the years have given me the strength to stand up to challenges, both political and personal. But after careful reflection, I’ve decided not to run for a 3rd term as Secretary of State.

Many who step away from public life cite a desire to “spend more time with family.” I’ve already learned to cherish every moment spent with family and friends, because I know that life is precious and unpredictable.

But I’ve also learned that service can and does take many forms, and elective office is just one of them.

I watched as my father moved regularly between elective office and private life…always devoted to his family and to making a positive difference in the community. He served on church boards, the local school board and helped the Red Cross and countless other causes—every day committed to helping a neighbor and making the community better. Dad always thought his experience as a private citizen helped make him a more effective public servant and a better governor.

After 8 years as Secretary of State, the time will be right for me to return to private life, to gather new ideas and experiences and a fresh perspective. But my commitment to public service won’t stop, because I know the challenges facing our country can’t be solved in Washington or Jefferson City alone. It will take ideas, energy and the daily commitment and determination of all of us.

So I plan to stay engaged and involved. And I ask you to do the same. For me, that could include running for elected office again, but it will certainly mean speaking out and working hard for the values we share and the candidates who stand up for them.

My term as Secretary of State continues for another 15 months. During that time, my terrific staff and I will stay focused on providing the type of outstanding service Missourians expect and deserve.

Thanks again for all your help and friendship. It means more to me than you will ever know. I’ll look forward to connecting with you soon.

Robin

“From locating death certificates to skimming World War I muster records, the stories Missourians uncover at the Archives are remarkable,” Carnahan said. A fifth generation Missourian, she remembers helping her mother “find out-of-the-way church cemeteries and sift through dusty boxes in courthouse basements” to research her family history.

Today, many records that used to sit in dusty boxes can be easily searched and viewed online. Participants can search more than six million documents and photographs at MissouriDigitalHeritage.com, including death certificates, military service cards, photographs, naturalization records, historic newspapers, Civil War records and judicial case files. Countless other records are housed at the Missouri State Archives, historical societies, local libraries and museums throughout the state.

The Great Missouri Treasure Hunt will award prizes in three categories: Family History, Civil War History and Missouri History. To enter the contest, participants must share the story of their “Missouri Treasure” and explain its significance, for example a death certificate that reveals a missing link in a family tree, or a Provost Marshal letter that details how the Civil War impacted a Missouri community. Personal treasures may be entered as well, such as old photographs, maps, or letters. Although not required, participants are encouraged to attach photos, scans of documents, or a video to illustrate their story.

The contest, which is hosted by the Missouri State Archives, is open until August 31, 2011. Participants can win one of more than 100 prizes by participating in weekly challenges on the contest’s Facebook page or by submitting an entry to the contest. The winners in each category will be chosen through online voting. Prizes include a hotel stay near the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, a family portrait session using Civil War-era tintype photography, numerous books on Missouri history, preservation supplies, games, digitization of old home movies, and a spot in the 2011-2012 Official Manual of the State of Missouri. Complete rules and entry form are available online at http://www.GreatMissouriTreasureHunt.com.

Sponsors include the Friends of the Missouri State Archives, Home Movie Depot, Weider History Group, University of Missouri Press, Missouri Life Magazine, FamilySearch, Arcadia Publishing, Richmond Alternative Photography, and the Federation of Genealogical Services.

The Business Services staff will be on hand to help current business owners, Joplin residents looking to hire a business, as well as businesses that are looking to work in Missouri for the first time. The State Archives staff will be able to assist Joplin residents preserve and safeguard their important and historic belongings, such as photographs, documents and books that were damaged or need to be protected.

In addition, the Wolfner Braille and Talking Book Library will continue providing patrons in the Joplin area with both audio players and talking-books by allowing materials to be delivered and picked up at the Joplin Public Library (300 South Main).

Joplin residents are urged to call 1-866-716-0237 or stop by the Newman Innovation Center if they need any other assistance from the Secretary of State’s office.

According to the order issued by officials in Carnahan’s Securities Division, Grammer and Baxter told investors that Boydoplex could produce a generator the size of a shoe box that could power a city and a pacemaker that could run without batteries. Since at least 2004, Baxter and Grammer allegedly have raised more than $2 million from at least 30 investors in Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, and Australia, though neither Grammer nor Baxter is registered to sell securities and the investments were not registered in Missouri.

Records obtained by the Securities Division indicate that investor money was used to pay for personal expenses including vehicles, farm equipment, retail stores, mortgage payments, music expenses, and adult entertainment website charges.

“As I always say, if an investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” Carnahan said. “If either the investment itself or the returns promised seem out of the ordinary, please to call the Investor Protection Hotline to make sure everything is properly registered with my office.”

The order alleges that Baxter told investors that she did not believe the project would lose money and the worst thing that could happen was investors would get their money back, plus 10 percent, in six months. She also said they could possibly receive 10 times their initial investment. But when Securities Division investigators began scrutinizing Boydoplex, Grammer and Baxter would not disclose the identity or street address of the development labs, indicating that any inquiry might lead to the identity of a potential buyer that was in negotiations to acquire the Boydoplex project for $800 million. Grammer filed for bankruptcy in late 2010.

The cease and desist order alleges that Grammer and Baxter sold unregistered securities and committed securities fraud by failing to disclose material information to investors, providing untrue information to investors, and misleading investors as to how their funds would be spent. Grammer and Baxter face the imposition of up to $80,000 in penalties and costs, and the possibility of being ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution to harmed investors. Respondents have 30 days to request a hearing and contest this matter. The Securities Division is collaborating closely in this matter with other law enforcement agencies.

For more information regarding investments and fraud protection, or for information regarding a company or representative, visit the Secretary of State’s online Investor Protection Center at http://www.MissouriSafeSavings.com or call the toll free Investor Protection Hotline at 1-800-721-7996.

According to the Cease and Desist Order issued by officials in Carnahan’s Securities Division, Renick organized a series of corporations, including Spectrum Pet Care, Inc., Spectrum Pet Foods, Inc., and SPC Brands, Inc., to manufacture and sell natural and organic pet food and treats, as well as pet care and animal health care products. However, some of the investments were not registered and Renick allegedly failed to disclose to investors that Spectrum had little revenue. Renick also allegedly used his investors’ funds to pay off previous investors and to pay personal expenses.

“My office will continue to go after everyone who misleads Missourians into investing with them,” Carnahan said. “Anyone offering an investment first must register with my office and fully disclose what they are selling. Before you turn over any of your savings, call my Investor Protection Hotline to make sure the offer is legitimate.”

According to the order, Renick told investors that Spectrum Pet Foods would “go public” and its stock value would double at that time, and that the stock could be sold back to the company at any time. The order alleges that Renick is currently attempting to raise funds in the State of California under the business name Consolidated Food Group, Inc., in order to pay back those individuals who invested in Spectrum.

Renick convinced a 62-year-old St. Louis resident to both personally invest $20,000 in stock and purchase $25,000 in Spectrum bonds through the St. Louis resident’s corporation, according to the order. The order also states that at different times from 2007-2010, Renick told the investor that Spectrum was going to merge with an international pet food and candy manufacturer, that he had meetings set up with a billion-dollar agriculture and home improvement retailer, and a worldwide convenience store chain contacted Renick about putting Spectrum products in 3,300 stores. Securities Division investigators contacted the agriculture retailer, which said Renick scheduled a meeting but didn’t show up, and the convenience store chain, which said that the company hadn’t placed Spectrum products in its stores and never agreed to do so.

The order also states that a 74-year-old Kansas City, Mo., resident invested $20,000 with Renick in a Spectrum bond after seeing an advertisement about the opportunity in a newspaper. Renick allegedly told the investor that Spectrum was doing “wonderfully” and would sell products at major, national stores. He is charged with failing to tell the investor of the risks of the investment or the financial condition of the company and with failing to honor the terms of the bond.

Renick and his companies face up to $40,000 in penalties and costs, and the possibility of being ordered to pay in excess of $6 million in restitution to harmed investors. Respondents have 30 days to request a hearing and contest this matter. The Securities Division is cooperating closely in this matter with other law enforcement and government agencies.

For more information regarding investments and fraud protection, or for information regarding a company or representative, visit the Secretary of State’s online Investor Protection Center at http://www.MissouriSafeSavings.com or call the toll free Investor Protection Hotline at 1-800-721-7996.

Team registration closes May 21st!

Follow this link and click “Join Team” to sign up: http://www.komenstlouis.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=33041&pg=team&fr_id=1080

Check out the photos on Facebook.

The presentations address safe investing and the resources available to help identify scams, such as the toll-free Investor Protection Hotline.  Missourians are encouraged to call the Hotline at (800) 721-7996 if they have concerns that their savings are been mishandled.

“Missouri seniors should be able to invest their life savings confidently and without fear they will be taken advantage of by their adviser or broker,” Carnahan said.  “One call to the Investor Protection Hotline can tell you if an investment is properly registered and the history of the person offering it.  Call to check before you invest – it’s the best step you can take to protect your hard-earned savings.”

As Secretary of State, Carnahan has enacted stronger protections for seniors and returned more than $10 billion to investors in Missouri and across the country.  Carnahan’s bipartisan “Senior Investor Protection Act” was passed in 2009, giving Missouri one of the toughest laws in the country protecting seniors from fraud.

The events scheduled during Older Americans Month are:

May 3 - 10:30 am, Presentation by Secretary Carnahan at Wentzville Senior Center, Wentzville, MO

May 4 - 11:30 am, Presentation by Special Investigator at Sullivan County Senior Center, Milan, MO

May 5 - 11:30 am, Presentation by a Securities Auditor at PC Café and Resource Center, Unionville, MO

May 18 - 11:30 am, Presentation by Investigator at Mercer County Senior Center, Princeton, MO

May 25 - 10:00 am, Presentation at the Owensville Senior Center, Owensville, MO

May 27 - 9:00 am –  2:00 pm, Information booth at the Southside Wellness Center’s “Bringing It Together” MusicFest at the Muny Opera Pavilion in Forest Park, St. Louis, MO

To attend a presentation or schedule a speaker in your community, please contact the Missouri Securities Division at 1-800-721-7996. For more information about safe investing, visit the Secretary of State’s online Investor Protection Center at MissouriSafeSavings.com.

In the consent order issued this week, A.G. Edwards agreed to pay $381,993 to 31 Missouri investors across the state. The settlement ends a lengthy Missouri Securities Division investigation triggered by a complaint by an 81-year old Southwest Missouri investor after the liquidation of a variable annuity.

“I’m pleased that A.G. Edwards was willing to work with my office,” Carnahan said. “Missouri investors deserve to know their savings are being handled properly; regardless of if they use a global firm or a local broker. If you are concerned that your investments are at risk, call my office. We can help.”

According to the order, A.G. Edwards’ agents sold variable annuities to elderly customers across Missouri but could not produce records proving that they had ensured that these annuities were sold in compliance with the firm’s procedures. Carnahan’s Securities Division reviewed all variable annuity purchases, exchanges, and sales made by A. G. Edwards’ agents from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.

In addition to the restitution, A.G. Edwards is required to pay $375,000 to the Missouri Investor Education and Protection Fund, including $50,000 for the costs of the Securities Division’s investigation.

For more information regarding investments and fraud protection, or for information regarding a company or representative, visit the Secretary of State’s online Investor Protection Center at http://www.MissouriSafeSavings.com or call the toll free Investor Protection Hotline at 1-800-721-7996.

“Fair elections are at the core of any democracy, and I am pleased to help bring international and domestic attention to the fairness of the Nigerian election process,” said Carnahan.

Carnahan, who is widely respected as a leader in the field of election administration, was selected to be co-leader of the delegation along with Joe Clark, former prime minister of Canada; Mahamane Ousmane, former president of Niger and former speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament; and Christopher Fomunyoh, NDI senior associate and regional director for Central and West Africa. Election observers play an important role not only in focusing attention on Election Day, but also on helping voters and local observers assess the overall fairness of the election and its results.

Since 1990, Carnahan has worked with NDI to monitor elections and train political and civic leaders in seven countries. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Carnahan worked in Eastern Europe helping rebuild the region’s democracies and economies by drafting voting laws, training new political leaders and monitoring elections.

The National Democratic Institute has organized more than 150 international delegations to observe elections, pre-election environments and post-election developments. NDI led in developing the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, which was launched in October 2005 at the United Nations. Those standards have been endorsed by 36 intergovernmental and international nongovernmental organizations, which are engaged in promoting democracy and free and fair elections.