A St. Louis County circuit judge on January 14 dismissed a temporary restraining order that City of Jennings Mayor Yolanda Fountain Henderson had obtained against one of the residents leading the recall effort against her.
Allen McDonnell, 69 and a retired corporate comptroller, is among five people who spearheaded the effort to recall Henderson as mayor a few months ago. At the December 28 city council meeting, McDonnell said during public comment that he had called Attorney General Chris Koster’s office to learn whether or not Henderson had violated federal privacy laws.
Henderson previously issued a city contract to a consulting company, owned by Tony Weaver, without council approval. McDonnell stated that Weaver was provided full access to employee records and health insurance benefits, which violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. At the meeting, McDonnell stated that the attorney general’s representatives advised any employee to contact them.
To this, Henderson said that she didn’t want anyone calling the attorney general and that no one should be able to tell her what she can do as mayor. McDonnell felt that Henderson was essentially telling him that he didn’t have the right to call the attorney general’s office.
After the meeting ended, McDonnell walked up to where Henderson was sitting and told her, “Don’t you dare tell me who I can and cannot talk to.”
On New Year’s Eve, Henderson filed for a restraining order against McDonnell. In her petition, she said that she “stood up and jumped back because he was so close to me.” On January 14, Henderson and McDonnell went before Circuit Judge Nancy Watkins, after McDonnell filed a motion to dismiss.
McDonnell’s attorney, J.C. Pleban, showed Watkins the video of the incident, which he also shared with the press today (January 15). It shows that Henderson stood up and immediately said, “Get away from me. Get him away from me.” The police then escorted him out. She did not jump back in fear, according to the video.
Pleban said that if the judge would have approved a full restraining order, then McDonnell would have been essentially barred from the meetings.
“It would have eliminated a political enemy,” he said.
McDonnell said his group has paused their recall efforts because the city council begun the impeachment process for Henderson.
McDonnell will attend the town hall meeting tomorrow, January 16 at 10:00 a.m., at Jennings City Hall. He expects they will be speaking about the city’s finances and the mayor’s impeachment.
Follow this reporter on Twitter @rebeccarivas.
