ST. LOUIS — The Missouri auditor’s office said Tuesday it is investigating the city’s development agency over its handling of a troubled North Side business grant program and a payout to its former CEO.

Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said in a news release his office had received multiple whistleblower complaints about misuse of federal pandemic aid in the grant program.

“What we have seen so far raised several red flags, and warranted intense scrutiny of the program,” Fitzpatrick said. “We will do our best to give the people of St. Louis the answers they deserve and uncover any mismanagement or misuse of funds.”

A series of Post-Dispatch stories exposed problems with the grant program last year. There were businesses in line for grants that weren't operating and weren't based in north St.

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