Aldermanic President Megan Green has refiled her lawsuit opposing state control of the Police Department, this time in State Court. The move comes after the city was criticized and threatened with sanctions by a judge for their previous suit filed in federal court.
While her previous lawsuit was filed in conjunction with the City on the final day of the Tishaura Jones administration, Green's new suit is filed alone and the city is not a part of it.
In a statement to KMOX, Mayor Cara Spencer was critical of Green's lawsuit, saying it would be better to give the City Counselor's office adequate time to fully develop a case and present a united front rather than take a "premature stab," at litigation.
Like her previous lawsuit filed in federal court, Green is arguing the law, which moves control of the St. Louis City Police Department to a state appointed board, is an unfunded mandate by forcing the city to allocate a certain percentage of its budget to the police department. She also argues the law prohibiting City officials from impeding, obstructing, hindering or interfering "in any manner," with the state board is vague and a violation of her first amendment right if speaking against the board falls under that language.
Her lawsuit names Attorney General Andrew Bailey as the defendent. KMOX has reached out to his spokesperson for comment along with a spokesperson for President Green.