CLAYTON — St. Louis County Clerk Diann Valenti tried to make it look like a staffer, hired in violation of a state ban on nepotism, was just a volunteer and not an employee, according to charges made public on Tuesday.
Prosecutors accused Valenti of modifying personnel records and falsely stating Councilman Dennis Hancock’s stepdaughter, Hollie Galati, was only a volunteer. She didn’t act alone and did so “with the purpose to defraud,” county prosecutors alleged in charges.
But after St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell resigns on Jan. 2, the county will have a new top prosecutor. Valenti’s lawyer said the case won’t go anywhere under Bell’s replacement.
“Any normal prosecutor will dismiss this case,” said Joe Hogan, who represents the clerk.
Valenti was just doing her job, he added. After Hancock and Galati realized her employment by Hancock was not allowed under Missouri law, Galati said she didn’t want to be paid for the few days she worked at the county as the councilman’s legislative assistant. Valenti tried to adjust personnel records to reflect the change.
People are also reading…
“These were people doing their daily jobs,” Hogan said. “Who did she defraud?”
The indictment was kept under seal until Valenti was served a summons, with the charges, on Tuesday, Hogan said. Now, it’s public, and the case will appear in court records as soon as clerks can file it, he said. The Christmas holiday could delay the filing.
A hearing is set for Jan. 15. Hogan said he’ll file a motion to dismiss the case.
Valenti also works as the administrative director for the County Council, and its members vigorously defended her against an effort they said was coordinated by County Executive Sam Page.
Council Chair Shalonda Webb, a Democrat from north St. Louis County, also accused the prosecuting attorney of unfairly targeting Valenti.
“Sam Page is not acting alone,” Webb said at a special council meeting Friday morning. “Wesley Bell, someone I had come to trust, and the people of our community depended on, has found himself as a willing accomplice.”
On Friday, Bell’s spokesman, Chris King, issued a statement on behalf of the prosecuting attorney: “It is disappointing and inappropriate for public officials to make public comments on evidence or matters that they have not seen. Every defendant has a right to their day in court, and anyone charged will have theirs.”
On Tuesday, King declined to comment.
Also on Tuesday, Page spokesman Doug Moore said, “We don’t comment on sealed indictments. We will let the legal process play out.”
Valenti attended Friday’s special council meeting in her regular role. She serves as the custodian of records, reminds councilmembers of procedural rules and generally keeps the meetings on track. She also handles bills and other administrative responsibilities for the council.
“She is the jewel of this council staff and should be treated that way,” Webb said.
The council introduced legislation to pay for Valenti’s legal fees with taxpayer money. Six out of seven councilmembers, including two Democrats who frequently side with the county executive, supported the bill. Republican Councilman Ernie Trakas abstained because he feels the county shouldn’t pay anyone’s bills in a criminal case. But he said he was still “concerned and incensed” by the case against Valenti.
“It has an odor of political gaming to it,” Trakas said.
The bill could pass at the council’s next meeting on Jan. 7.
On Friday, a judge ruled Gov. Mike Parson gets to pick a replacement for Bell, the county prosecuting attorney. Parson said he’ll pick Melissa Price Smith, who has worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the county since 2008.
Valenti has worked for the county since 2015, according to her online resume. She started as a legislative assistant to former Councilman Kevin O’Leary and in 2017 began working as the deputy county clerk. She took her current job in August 2019.
She has gained a reputation among councilmembers for her precision and consistency. Last year, Valenti won an award from the Missouri Press Association for dutifully filling open records requests.
Valenti was indicted by a grand jury this week, and grand jury proceedings are private.
When one is convened, the jury listens to evidence from a prosecutor and issues an indictment when its members feel there is enough evidence to charge a defendant. An indictment differs from other cases where prosecutors file the charges.
The St. Louis County grand jury issued charges in over two dozen other cases this week.
View life in St. Louis through the Post-Dispatch photographers' lenses. Edited by Jenna Jones.
