Alfred Montgomery arrives to his campaign headquarters with food for his staff and children on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in St. Louis. Montgomery narrowly defeated St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts during Tuesday’s Democratic primary.
ST. LOUIS — The city’s new sheriff is suing to get the city’s old sheriff out of the court building, stop him from removing office records and force him to provide access to sheriff security systems.
Alfred Montgomery, a former deputy who unseated St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts in a contentious Democratic primary, filed for the restraining order Tuesday afternoon.
On Wednesday, Montgomery said he was too busy to discuss the filing because he was getting ready for the Sheriff Inauguration Ball, an event he appeared to be hosting himself Wednesday night.
His suit accused Betts of delaying the transfer of power by removing documents and filing cabinets from the Carnahan courts building in downtown St. Louis, not providing credentials for the property room’s security system, and disorderly conduct that threatened the security of the courts building.
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The filing included three reports from deputies, all signed on Tuesday, and a narrative describing Betts and a captain removing documents and filing cabinets from the building.
Betts denied all of Montgomery’s latest accusations. He told the Post-Dispatch that Tuesday was his last day as sheriff, and he was already out of the offices. He also said Montgomery has not asked him directly for information on security credentials.
St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts listens as newly sworn in St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore addresses family, friends and supporters in a St. Louis courtroom after he took the oath of office during a brief ceremony on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
“He’s not in touch with reality,” Betts said of Montgomery.
The filing marks the latest dust-up between the two political opponents over an office in charge of transporting prisoners from jail to and from court, providing courthouse security and serving legal papers, including eviction notices and protection orders.
Throughout the campaign, the two men blasted each other as being unprofessional. Montgomery accused Betts of squandering millions in taxpayer money. Betts called him a “lying sack.”
Betts said that Montgomery has been in and out of the courts building for months.
“When I won the election eight years ago in November, I didn’t show up to that building until January,” he said.
A hearing on the motion was scheduled for noon Thursday.
“I’m gone,” Betts said. “I’m done.”
