COLUMBIA, Mo. — A recent audit has unveiled serious issues surrounding former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who devoted significant work hours to nursing school courses while in office. The investigation, led by state auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, highlighted that Gardner spent approximately seven weeks—specifically 34.5 working days—attending classes at Saint Louis University during official hours. This report was made public on Tuesday and included a thorough examination of multiple problematic areas in her administration.
Fitzpatrick expressed that Gardner’s lack of prioritization of her role as circuit attorney was a major factor in the department’s struggles. His findings also pointed to considerable staff turnover, inappropriate usage of public funds, and a notable decline in the case filings, referrals, and closures prior to her resignation amid controversy in 2023. In her defense, Gardner explained that she pursued a family nurse practitioner post-master’s certification with the intent to enhance mental health awareness within her office.
The audit also brought to light extravagant expenditures of over $58,000 in taxpayer money on various non-essentials, including flowers, entertainment like a disc jockey, and even personal legal expenses. Auditors faced challenges in obtaining information from Gardner’s office, with some employees reportedly obstructing or delaying requests for data over the span of two years. Access to essential documents and personnel only improved once a new administration took charge.
Gardner’s troubled tenure had long been under scrutiny. At the time of her resignation, she was facing efforts for removal initiated by Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Additionally, state lawmakers were exploring legislation that would grant the governor the authority to appoint a special prosecutor, thereby stripping Gardner of a significant portion of her responsibilities.
Her role as a progressive prosecutor aimed at reforming the legal system included advocating for mental health and drug treatment options for low-level offenders and pushing for police accountability. However, Gardner frequently faced backlash from Republican leaders who criticized her handling of violent crime and her low conviction rates for homicide, leading to tensions with police and conservative groups.
In a notable case, Gardner charged former Governor Eric Greitens in 2018 with felony invasion of privacy, alleging he had taken a compromising photo of a woman with whom he was having an affair. Although the charge was eventually dropped, it sparked a series of controversies, including the conviction of Gardner’s investigator and a reprimand from the Missouri Supreme Court related to document handling in the case.
More complications arose when Gardner instructed her staff to issue checks to cover a fine of $5,004 associated with the Greitens case, despite not being entitled to do so. Ultimately, she resolved the matter by agreeing to reimburse the funds personally to avoid facing federal charges.
