Jeff City erupted this afternoon with a flurry of e-releases and accusations when it became public that state Auditor Susan Montee had determined that Attorney General Jay Nixon still owed the state money for his use of the state car and staff for political and personal business.

In a letter dated Tuesday and now posted on her Web site, Montee said that Nixon owed $8,610.40 to the state — in addition to the $47,021.91 payment that he’d paid months ago.

Nixon campaign spokesman Oren Shur said Friday that Nixon had sent in the check earlier this week.

In any event, the state Office of Administration sent out a release this afternoon declaring that Nixon owed the additional $8,618.40, and referring to Montee’s calculations.

OA general counsel Rich AuBuchon praised Montee today for “a terrific job.”

Montee had looked into the matter at Nixon’s request, because his campaign and the Office of Administration have continued to spar over the original amount. OA finally cashed the check several weeks ago, although commissioner Michael Keathley made clear in a statement that the office was doing so only because it had to.

The state GOP issued a release this afternoon within minutes of the OA release, in which the party contended that Nixon had been “busted” by Montee. However, the GOP also jabbed Montee and questioned her office’s handling of the matter.

That attack may be tied, in part, to Montee’s audit results — released Thursday — that said Gov. Matt Blunt, or any governor, was likely violating the state constitution by using the state car and staff for political and personal travel. The 2005 law making it legal is probably unconstitutional, Montee said.

Montee chief of staff Joe Martin today renewed her call for the Legislature to take action to straighten out the issue.

UPDATE:

Nixon’s campaign sent out the following statement Friday afternoon:

“We wanted to make sure the campaign properly reimbursed the state, which is why we asked the Auditor to conduct this review in the first place,” said Oren Shur, Nixon’s campaign spokesman. “We received the Auditor’s letter a couple days ago and immediately put a check in the mail. We consider this matter closed and will continue to focus on the issues important to Missouri voters, like fixing the state’s health care crisis and turning this economy around.”