St. Louis County Council refers evidence of Page's outside pay to prosecutors

The St. Louis County Ethics Committee says they have evidence that shows County Executive Sam Page not only worked as an anesthesiologist during work hours but was paid for it. An amendment to the County Charter approved by voters in 2022 says the County Executive's "entire time shall be devoted to the duties of the office." The Charter also bans the County Executive from receiving pay for outside work.

The evidence alleges Page worked 85 days for SSM, with invoices showing he was paid hundred of dollars according to Ethics Committee Chair and Councilman Mike Archer.

"There's a $600 figure and a reimbursement for dues and subscriptions of $1,228... so yeah, he was paid."

Page has long maintained his work was unpaid and stood by that defense before the meeting.

"There are some people who just can't comprehend why someone would help other people and not get paid for that. And they are really struggling with that."

He also claims Archer and others are misreading the evidence.

"They're struggling with understanding medical billing, where a responsible physician is reported by name but isn't paid."

Archer insists the evidence shows Page was paid, but says ultimately it does not matter.

"It's a distinction without a difference... It's taking away time [from serving as County Executive]," says Archer, adding "When you're an anesthesiologist... you're devoted solely to your patient."

Page says that's not the case and he can easily serve as County Executive and as a patient's anesthesiologist by remaining on call.

"What we do as an anesthesiologist is juggle a lot of phone calls including being responsible for a patient or two patients who are under anesthesia." Page adds if an important, lengthy phone call arises he would have another anesthesiologist step in for him.

Page adds the job requires him being on call all the time.

"My job as County Executive is 24/7. Sometimes I sleep, sometimes I do other things, sometimes I travel... I'm always available by phone."

Archer was asked that comes next and suggested this could be the beginning of Page's removal from office.

"That would be the decision of the Attorney General to file what's called a quo warranto action or the Prosecuting Attorney." Archer adds "that would be their decision, not ours."

However Page is only in office until the end of the year after announcing he will not seek reelection. The Quo Warranto to remove St. Louis City Sheriff Alfred Montgomery took 11 months to conclude, despite a concerted effort to fast track the legal process. Archer says it should still move forward despite Page being on his final months.

"There is a point, because there has been a violation of the Charter."

This is yet another chapter in the infighting between County Executive Page and the County Council, and would not be the first that drew the involvement of the Attorney General's office. Last July, Page was indicted on four counts after allegedly using taxpayer dollars improperly for a political flyer that reads in opposition to Proposition B. Page called the efforts by the council to oust him a distraction from real business.

"If they could vote me off the island I'm sure they would've done it a long time ago because that would be conflict theatre... In between all this stuff that gets attention, we're doing some pretty good work in St. Louis County.