JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI (KMOX) - Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is not off the hook with his office, despite this week's resignation. Fitzpatrick issued a statement saying he intends to continue investigating the finances of the Circuit Attorney's Office during her tenure.
The Auditor's statement says, "Kim Gardner has repeatedly stood in the way of our efforts to complete the audit that was requested by the Board of Aldermen and the people of St. Louis. Before she resigned from office we were prepared to petition the court to enforce a subpoena that was first issued over two and a half months ago to obtain the documents we need to complete our work. She knew we were prepared to enforce the subpoena in court on May 16 and chose to resign on that exact day."
Other officials who had been after Gardner backed off, first with the special prosecutor into a contempt of court charge, and then Attorney General Andrew Bailey with his Quo Warranto case. Both filed motions to dismiss those matters.
But for Fitzpatrick, the Republican goes on to say, "Even with her decision to step away earlier than expected, we have a duty to the people of St. Louis to complete our assessment of the performance of the Circuity Attorney's Office. We're hopeful the new Circuit Attorney will work in good faith with us to ensure we can finish the audit without further delay. In the event the new Circuit Attorney does not have access to the records we need, we're prepared to take any and all steps necessary, including additional subpoenas and petitions in court, to obtain the needed documents from Kim Gardner directly."
The new Circuit Attorney takes over on an interim basis Friday after Governor Mike Parson names the successor from among 18 candidates. As the Auditor concludes in his statement, "One way or another, Kim Gardner will have to answer for her time as Circuit Attorney."
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