ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — Comptroller Darlene Green now claims she has the power to shift more money into Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's budget to cover outside lawyers--even though the plan failed to pass this week's meeting of the city's top budget board.
That panel, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, is chaired by Mayor Lyda Krewson.
"I believe the Comptroller has some power in case of an emergency, but if she didn't need E and A's approval, I'm not sure why she asked for it to be on the agenda," Krewson said.
Another member of the panel, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, says Green's claim of authority to move the money herself should be reviewed by the City Counselor's office.
"She's obviously bending the rules to get this done in the way she wants to get it done," Reed said.
At issue is whether Green can give Gardner access to another $225,000 in taxpayer money to pay for lawyers defending Gardner's office against allegations of perjury during last year's Eric Gretiens case.
Green, who also sits on the three-member panel, argued Wednesday that Gardner should have the right to use the money already in her budget to defender herself.