The Missouri Attorney General’s report has exposed the gross incompetence and failure of Kimberly M. Gardner, the former St. Louis Circuit Attorney. Gardner’s reign was nothing short of a disaster, leading to a sharp decline in the effectiveness of the Circuit Attorney’s Office and a surge in crime rates in the city.
The report paints a grim picture of Gardner’s tenure, with a dramatic decrease in the prosecution of criminal cases under her watch. This led to an alarming near-collapse of the city’s criminal justice system. To add insult to injury, Gardner’s administration was found guilty of misusing taxpayer funds by paying an unlicensed attorney for legal advice. Talk about a slap in the face to hardworking Americans!
But that’s not all. Gardner’s office stands accused of countless violations of the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, compromising the rights and welfare of victims in criminal cases. This is a clear violation of the trust placed in her by the people of St. Louis.
In a move that reeks of guilt, Gardner resigned just hours before potentially damaging records were to be turned over and a deposition was scheduled. It seems like she was trying to dodge the bullet of accountability.
The investigation involved a thorough review of tens of thousands of documents and interviews with nearly 40 witnesses. The findings are damning. Gardner’s controversial actions include refusing to put a repeat offender back in jail, which led to a horrific accident that resulted in a teenager losing her legs. She also refused to file charges against a woman who opened fire on a crowd, citing lack of evidence. Is this the kind of leadership we want?
Key Findings of the Report:
- Dismissal of 25,000 Cases: The report highlights that under Gardner’s tenure, an astonishing 25,000 cases were dismissed, raising serious concerns about the administration of justice in St. Louis.
- Failure to Prosecute 2,735 Cases: Judges dismissed 2,735 cases due to Gardner’s office’s failure to prosecute, indicating a systemic breakdown in the city’s legal processes.
- Misuse of Taxpayer Money: The report uncovers that Gardner’s office paid $351,500 to an unlicensed attorney for legal advice, a blatant misuse of taxpayer funds.
- Violations of the Crime Victims’ Rights Act: Gardner’s administration is accused of countless violations of the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, compromising the rights and welfare of victims in criminal cases.
- Resignation Amidst Legal Pressure: Gardner resigned just hours before a judge was expected to order the turnover of potentially damaging records and schedule a deposition, a move seen as an attempt to evade accountability.
The Missouri Attorney General’s report is a wake-up call for all Americans. We must hold our public servants accountable and ensure they fulfill their duties with integrity and competence. We cannot afford to let individuals like Gardner undermine our criminal justice system and compromise the safety of our communities. Remember, we cannot change the past, but we can certainly learn from it. Let’s make sure this never happens again.