5 Things to Know About Steve Stenger’s Resignation
Date Posted: April 29, 2019
Posted In: News,
From St. Louis Magazine: Update: 1:53 p.m., Monday, April 29: St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger has plead not guilty to three counts of honest services bribery/mail fraud.
Original story:
On Monday morning, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger had been indicted by a grand jury on three charges of honest services bribery and mail fraud. Stenger is scheduled to appear in court at 1 p.m. Monday.
Shortly after the news broke, Stenger submitted his letter of resignation to County Counselor Peter Krane, writing: “It has been an honor to serve the people of St. Louis County as St. Louis County Executive. The past four years have been some of the most fulfilling years of my professional career. I have determined after much thought that it is in the best interest of our County and my family that I resign as St. Louis County Executive effective immediately.”
The county council will host an emergency meeting tonight, when it’s expected to discuss an interim replacement. Mark Mantovani, who narrowly lost to Stenger in last year’s Democratic primary and is backed by former state Senator Joan Bray, is among the possible replacements. In early April, the St. Louis Business-Journal also noted that county council members Sam Page, Hazel Erby, and Lisa Clancy, as well as county assessor Jake Zimmerman and state Sen. Scott Sifton could be among potential candidates for the post.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson tweeted, “These are very serious charges. This clearly would’ve had a negative effect on the county executive’s ability to govern. That affects the whole region. The County Executive made the right decision in resigning. I will work with the new County Exec.”