Sonya Jenkins Gray is joining the Sheriff's department as the new Chief of Human Resources according to a press release early Wednesday evening.
However, just hours later, Governor Mike Kehoe is calling on her to step down from her new position.
Jenkins Gray was named as one of his five appointments to the St. Louis City Police Board of Commissioners by Governor Mike Kehoe a month ago. In a statement to KMOX, Governor Kehoe said her new position with the sheriffs office "creates the potential for a conflict of interest with her duties [on the police board]."
He goes on to say if she does not resign and continues to serve in both roles, she will have to address those concerns with the Missouri Senate during her confirmation process.
Jenkins Gray said in a statement announcing her position she wants to "make sure the [sheriffs department's] personnel practices are consistent and fair.
Sheriff Alfred Montgomery says with the addition of Jenkins-Gray "we will be taking another giant step toward remaking the Sheriff's Office into an operation that will more effectively meet our duty to protect an serve the citizens, lawyers, jurors and judges who are in our court buildings every day."
Montgomery has been in hot water since taking the oath of office in January. Most recently he faces his potential removal from office, with Attorney General Andrew Bailey filing a quo warranto against him. KMOX reached out to a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office and is awaiting a response.
Jenkins-Gray had her own bout of controversy lately, when she was fired by Mayor Tishaura Jones as the City's personnel director. Her firing came after the Civil Service Commission recommended it when she was found to have used a department vehicle for personal use.