Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel at center of Taney County Prosecutor Investigation

From Branson Missouri Photojournal by Darin Codon
Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel is under investigation by the Taney County Prosecutor's office according to a report by KSPR.

The issue at hand involves a $12,315.25 check to an engineering firm in Arkansas that Western Taney County Commissioner wanted to review before issuing to ensure the business wasn't being overpaid.

According to KSPR,  Pennel wrote a check to the county for $12,315.25 before finding penance might come at a greater cost.

Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley' administration purchased land from Chuck Pennel in a matter that has generated some controversy in the community. Both Pennel and Presley have criticized the City of Branson's Landing waterfront development; however, it appears being adjacent to the project was worth a cool million as a rundown building was purchased by the city to Pennel's family - a sound investment for Pennel personally.

Presiding Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel is fighting as incumbent for the seat proving to be a tight three-way fight. Two former Taney County Commissioners Ron Herschend and Ron Houseman are vying for the position. 

Houseman recently resigned from Taney County's  Economic Development Department whose focus was centered on maximizing return of Obama funds.

Exacerbating the situation, Missouri's 7th District Congressional hopeful Bob Schanz has pushed for an audit of the county with protest from the Taney County Commission.

Shanz's role as a Taney County watchdog proved fruitful as Missouri's Auditor Susan Montee confirmed mismanagement of funds. The documents Schanz presented to the Taney County Commission was reported by over public airwaves two years after Branson, Missouri begged Shanz's question: monkey business?