(LibertySociety.com) – Over two months after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey demanded she step down, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced her resignation, effective June 1st, 2023. Gardner is most widely known for her failed political prosecution of former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, resulting in his resignation in 2018, which ultimately led to Gardner withdrawing her case after admitting she did not have the evidence against him that she claimed to have when she brought the case. Gardner, and George Soros-backed prosecutor, was eventually investigated for misconduct surrounding the matter, and she earned a reprimand from the Missouri Supreme Court.
The mismanagement of Gardner’s office has been under scrutiny by AG Bailey since he was appointed by Republican Governor Mike Parson. This came after AG Eric Schmitt won his race to replace retiring Senator Roy Blunt in the United States Senate in the 2022 midterm elections. In February 2023, AG Bailey filed a quo warranto against Gardner, attempting to have her removed from office if she refused to resign. AG Bailey stated that, “Instead of protecting victims, Circuit Attorney Gardner is creating them.” Gardner has faced scrutiny for lack of preparedness for cases, oftentimes having to refile charges, delay trials, or dismiss cases altogether.
Back in February 2023, a 17-year-old girl lost both of her legs after being run over by a repeat offender when he barreled through a yield sign and hit multiple people walking in a crosswalk. Gardner blamed the judge after the incident, claiming that she wanted the offender to be jailed but her request was denied. On April 27th, 2023, Judge Michael Noble appointed a special prosecutor to build a case against Gardner to hold her in contempt for failing to show up for scheduled court dates that her office was handling, stating that “Gardner’s office appears to be a rudderless ship of chaos.” Governor Parson released a statement following Gardner’s resignation announcement, notifying the public that the state will begin the process of appointing a replacement.
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