ST. LOUIS — The agency that oversaw a riverfront stadium project a decade ago failed to properly scrutinize spending, leading to questionable expenses by consultants, according to a final state audit released this week.

The Missouri Auditor's Office reviewed years worth of costs for planning a new stadium aimed at wooing the NFL Rams to stay in St. Louis. Auditors found the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, the agency that runs downtown's domed arena, overrode controls on spending and allowed consultants to spend tens of thousands of dollars on travel, lodging, food and murky expenses.

"If the project consultant decided an invoice needed to be paid, the RSA would pay it," the audit says.

The authority agreed with the auditor's findings and is working to devel

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