The woman at the heart of a huge controversy at the State Economic Development Department has handed in her resignation and it has been accepted. Randa Hayes had failed to disclose that prior to moving to Missouri, she had been arrested and charged with theft in Illinois and had entered into a plea bargain. Hayes headed the Department’s Business Development and Trade Division prior to submitting her resignation. Public news of Hayes’ legal troubles were first brought to light by the State Democratic Party, which is now calling on Governor Matt Blunt to return more than $6,000 in campaign contributions received by his gubernatorial campaign by Hayes.
