ST. LOUIS (KMOX ) - St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced on Friday that they have reached a settlement with County Councilman Dennis Hancock in a nepotism case.
Back in August 2024, Hancock was alleged to have violated the Missouri State Constitution's nepotism clause by hiring his stepdaughter as his administrative assistant.
Upon being hired, Hancock's stepdaughter, Hollie Galati, received a salary of $24.88 an hour, along with vehicle allowances in the amount of $300 a month, plus additional benefits.
The situation led to Hancock being temporarily expelled from the County Council by former St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell before being reinstated hours later.
Before leaving for Washington D.C. to represent Missouri first congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, Bell filed paperwork for the case against Hancock in December 2024.
New St. Louis County Prosecutor Melissa Price Smith ultimately determined to resolve the case with a settlement agreement rather than continuing with litigation that her staff determined would've been costly and disruptive.
"The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has over 10,000 pending criminal cases, including 250 pending homicides," said Price Smith in a statement.
Price Smith's staff estimated the case could've taken up to a year or more to resolve, divert at least one prosecutor from prosecuting crimes and cost up to $100,000.
"This is a civil matter. My top priority is public safety, fighting violent crime, and advocating for victims. I will not allow my office to be used to settle political scores," said Price Smith.
As part of the agreement, Hancock agreed to pay his own legal fees and promised not to hire or assist in the hiring of any family members in exchange for the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is dismissing the lawsuit.
Hancock previously told KMOX News' Sean Malone he was not initially aware of the clause when he hired his stepdaughter to serve as administrative assistant and wouldn't have if he was aware.
"I don't make it a habit of studying the state constitution," Hancock told KMOX News back in August 2024. "When I did find out about it we took the steps that were appropriate to try to undo (hiring her) as best we could."
KMOX Legal Analyst Brad Young says the nepotism provision of the Missouri State Constitution is one Hancock should have been aware of.
"This is something that has been in existence for more than 100 years," said Young. "This is not some secret lurking provision in the Constitution. It's well known and this has come up many times in the past."