CLAYTON — St. Louis County prosecutors are dropping their case, at least for now, against a county councilman they accused of violating Missouri’s nepotism ban.
Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell’s office will continue its investigation but has withdrawn its petition seeking Councilman Dennis Hancock’s removal for now, spokesman Chris King said in a statement Thursday.
If prosecutors decide to renew their effort to remove Hancock under the state constitution’s nepotism provision, they’ll have to file a new petition, King said.
Circuit Judge John N. Borbonus had been set to decide Friday on removing Hancock, at least temporarily, from the council as he makes his defense. But the decision Thursday from Bell’s office means prosecutors aren’t expecting any decisions.
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“We have determined that it is in the best interest of the public to continue our investigation of this and related matters,” King said.
King didn’t say exactly why Bell’s office is holding off on the ouster petition.
Kimberley Mathis, an attorney for Hancock, reiterated that Hancock did not violate the state constitution. “Now St. Louis County prosecutors can refocus their efforts on important matters like keeping the county safe and crime-free,” she said.
Special Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Smith had argued before Borbonus on Monday that Hancock, a Fenton Republican, should be removed temporarily because he hired his stepdaughter as his aide earlier this year.
But Mathis, Hancock’s attorney, said Borbonus shouldn’t decide until Hancock could make his defense.
Chatter among political insiders shadowed the case, with some claiming that St. Louis County Executive Sam Page would use it to his advantage.
Without Hancock on the council, Page might be able to pick a favorite to replace Bell, who was elected to the U.S. House earlier this month. Page’s office declined to comment on those speculations.
In late August, Bell’s office filed in court to have Hancock removed. A judge signed an order that temporarily removed Hancock from office but Borbonus overrode the order later that day and reinstated Hancock to the council.
A petition from Bell’s office said Hancock’s stepdaughter, Hollie Galati, started work on Aug. 19 at a salary of $24.88 per hour.
Hancock has said he didn’t know he was barred from hiring relatives and that Galati’s new hire paperwork hadn’t gone through. After they found out her hire wasn’t allowed, Galati decided not to take the job and agreed not to be paid for a week’s work.
Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock and 5 other incumbent elected officials were sworn in to their new terms at an inauguration ceremony in the plaza by the county government building. (St. Louis County video)
