Kim Gardner Admits to Misusing Public Funds

Former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has admitted to misusing over $5,000 in public funds, specifically directing her employees to issue checks from the Circuit Attorney's Office contingency fund to cover costs related to a Supreme Court reprimand. Under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Gardner will avoid criminal prosecution if she repays the amount and complies with legal conditions over the next 18 months. This misuse occurred during an ethics investigation linked to her handling of the case against former Governor Eric Greitens. U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming emphasized that this was a fair outcome for the misuse of public funds. Gardner's actions had already led to significant scrutiny and criticism during her tenure, which included multiple ethics probes. She resigned in May 2023 amid mounting pressure from the state legislature and legal challenges.