A former elections official in Missouri has leveled serious accusations against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, claiming he manipulated local election results and attempted to mislead a federal judge in a critical voting administration case.

Nick La Strada, who served as the director of election integrity until his dismissal in May, filed a lawsuit on Monday in Cole County. His attorneys assert that La Strada’s termination was a direct result of his commitment to upholding election integrity.

“Essentially, the office terminated La Strada for having too much integrity,” the lawsuit states, reflecting a profound conflict between La Strada’s ethical standards and Hoskins’ approach to state elections.

La Strada was appointed by Hoskins after being elected in 2024. With a strong background in election administration that included four terms as Pettis County Clerk, he was initially praised by Hoskins for his competence and experience.

However, Erin Vernon, La Strada’s attorney, explained that his loyalty to the Republican Party was tested when the practices within the election office became questionable. “He couldn’t be quiet and had to stand up for what was right,” Vernon said.

At a recent news conference outside the Cole County Courthouse, Vernon highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that since La Strada’s departure, Hoskins has not appointed a new director of election integrity.

La Strada’s lawsuit brings forth three main allegations against Hoskins and his office. The first claims an attempt to fabricate evidence for a federal inquiry, aiming to resolve discrepancies regarding the number of votes cast in the 2024 elections.

In a pivotal moment, U.S. District Judge Doug Harpool mandated that an administrative hearing be held concerning the allegations. La Strada was ordered to appear in person, which may have led to the fallout that followed.

The day following the judge’s order, La Strada’s then-Chief of Staff reportedly discussed creating a false whistleblower submission to influence the inquiry, a conversation La Strada later reported to Hoskins.

This course of action allegedly led to La Strada being barred from accessing the Capitol Building, and shortly thereafter, he was informed not to return to work. He was officially terminated on May 1.

The lawsuit further alleges that La Strada was dismissed for his involvement in questioning and reporting potential violations of electoral laws and regulations.

Additionally, the lawsuit details claims of Hoskins exceeding his authority in two local elections. One incident involved a retabulation of votes in a city election in Marshall, which altered the certified results after a complaint was filed.

La Strada contends that the retabulation was unlawful, asserting that only a judge has the power to order a recount after an election has been certified.

Another point of contention regards the use of public funds in an anti-Proposition B mailer during a St. Louis County election campaign. La Strada warned that such actions could constitute an election offense.

Proposition B was significant, proposing changes to the power structure over department heads in the county, and it was ultimately defeated.

At the news conference, Vernon expressed concern about the leadership vacuum in the election integrity role, emphasizing the potential ramifications as new elections approach.

As Hoskins faces this lawsuit, which is not the first; five Missouri voters have also recently sued him, alleging violations of a state law designed to protect the integrity of election management.

The lawsuits highlight increasing scrutiny over how elections are managed in Missouri, particularly as tensions escalate around voting regulations in the U.S.

Through a spokesperson, Hoskins declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuits, raising questions about the transparency and future of Missouri’s electoral processes.

As the legal battles unfold, both La Strada and the following implications for election administration in Missouri remain a focal point for critics advocating for election integrity and accountability.