By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The Missouri Council of the Blind has gone to court claiming the state is raiding millions of dollars from the Blind Pension Fund.
The fund was set up in the 1920s by the state constitution to aid low-income blind persons.
The advocacy group claims Missouri Department of Social Services illegally diverted $24 million dollars from the pension.
The lawsuit says the state has used the fund for such things as balancing the state budget, paying tax refunds, and leasing buildings.
A court hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday. The department says it has no comment on pending litigation.