Former elections official accuses Missouri secretary of state of altering results, misleading judge

A former top elections official is accusing Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins of changing local election results, trying to deceive a federal judge in a voting administration case and illegally using state funds to influence a St. Louis County election.

Nick La Strada, whom Hoskins fired as director of election integrity in May, made the allegations in a lawsuit filed Monday in Cole County.

His attorneys said La Strada sued because he could no longer remain silent about the way Hoskins was running Missouri elections.

“In essence, defendant office, by the actions of defendant Hoskins, fired the director of election integrity for having too much integrity,” the lawsuit states.

Hoskins was elected in 2024 and hired La Strada in January 2025. La Strada was Pettis County clerk at the time, a post he had won in four consecutive elections. In a news release announcing the appointment, Hoskins praised La

Strada for his experience in local, state and international elections.

His “extensive experience in election administration makes him the ideal choice for this important position,” Hoskins said at the time.

The way Hoskins ran the office tested La Strada’s loyalty to both his party and the law, attorney Erin Vernon said Monday.

“This was not an easy decision for Mr. La Strada,” Vernon said. “He is a loyal Republican to the very end, except the one thing he will not put the party above is fair and equal, safe elections for all. He couldn’t be quiet and to stand up for what was right, and it didn’t take long for Mr. Hoskins to show him the door.”

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La Strada did not attend the news conference with his attorneys outside the Cole County Courthouse. He is overseas working as a U.S. long-term election observer in Bosnia and Herzegovina through Amentum’s Seconded Personnel and Election Observers program on behalf of the State Department.

It is the second lawsuit filed against Hoskins in recent days over his actions in office. Five Missouri voters also sued

Hoskins last week, alleging he violated a state law that provides monetary damages when an officeholder “neglect[s] or refuse[s] to perform any of the duties enjoined on him by law.”

Through spokeswoman Anne Marie Moy, Hoskins declined to comment on either lawsuit.

This story will be updated.