Former Democratic St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner has admitted to using public funds to cover personal legal costs, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
As part of the pretrial diversion agreement, Mr. Gardner recognized She said she ordered subordinates to withdraw more than $5,000 from the St. Louis Circuit Court Attorney’s Office and deposit it into her personal bank account to reimburse herself for legal costs related to a personal ethics case. The former St. Louis circuit attorney, who was effectively the city’s district attorney, was backed by liberal billionaire George Soros. criticism For failing to prosecute criminals while in office.
Saylor Fleming, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, said, “This agreement follows a thorough investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI, during which investigators interviewed all relevant witnesses and used all available information. “We have reviewed the evidence and financial records of the parties involved,” it said of the agreement. Kimberly Gardner is legally entitled to additional compensation. I had no right to receive it. ” According to to a diversion contract. (Stream The Daily Caller’s documentary “Cleaning Up Kamila” here)
Gardner’s illegal legal fees stem from her investigation into former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican the Missouri Supreme Court ruled. decided She violated the code of ethics. Gardner had investigated Greitens for sexual misconduct, but dropped the charges after a judge ruled that the former governor’s lawyer had to answer questions under oath. Associated Press reported. reported.
Under the agreement, Gardner’s prosecution will be delayed for 18 months on the condition that he avoids violating other laws and reports to a pretrial services officer. She would also have to repay the funds she misused.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey spoke to reporters after hearing oral arguments from the judges in Marcy v. Missouri. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post, Getty Images)
Gardner was appointed in May 2023 after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey moved to fire her, citing a backlog of “at least 3,000” cases that had not been reviewed. He resigned from his position as St. Louis’ top prosecutor. police data Gardner was in office in 2020, which had the second-highest number of murders in St. Louis history.
Bailey accused Gardener of “willful negligence” in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Gardner, a St. Louis lawyer who became famous for standing outside a home with a firearm to disperse protesters during the 2020 race riots, declined to press charges against many criminals. An investigation into Mark McCloskey and Patricia McCloskey has begun.
Harvard Law School Professor Ronald Sullivan said, “While Ms. Gardner was prepared to vigorously defend any allegations that might be brought against her, she and the government “We agreed to end any dispute and discontinue any investigation pursuant to a previous diversion agreement.” represent Gardner told DCNF.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
