Kim Gardner quits, leaves confusion behind her

Kim Gardner quits, leaves confusion behind her

St. Louis American staff

The end of Kim Gardner’s tenure as St. Louis Circuit Attorney ended suddenly on Tuesday morning. She left confusion behind in her office.

Gardner announced she was resigning immediately and would not remain in office until June 1, 2023.

May 19

Parson announced that he will name a replacement by Friday, May 19, 2023.

In a statement, the CAO said Gardner “has worked with St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and his office to ensure a comprehensive transition plan is in place to handle cases that prioritizes public safety.”

“Effective immediately, Kimberly M. Gardner will end her service as the city of St. Louis Circuit Attorney. Ms. Gardner has been committed to serving the people of the city of St. Louis and has done all she can to ensure a smooth transition.”

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones’ office announced Tuesday afternoon that she had met with Gov. Parson about Gardner’s departure.

“Today, Mayor Jones and Gov. Parson met at City Hall to discuss the needs of the Circuit Attorney’s Office, as the Circuit Attorney resigned earlier than previously expected. The Mayor and Governor agreed that restoring faith in this office is critical to a functional criminal justice system. She also re-emphasized that the appointment should serve as a caretaker for the office who can make much-needed changes without the distraction of re-election politics in 2024. 

“Mayor Jones appreciates Governor Parson’s commitment to engaging St. Louis’ elected and community leaders as he makes this critical decision, as well as St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell for his willingness to extend assistance in the interim. We remain ready to support the Circuit Attorney’s Office through this transition.” 

Parson announced that he will name a replacement by Friday, May 19, 2023.

Bell spokesperson Chris King, said the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s office Bell was awaiting action by the court or Gov. Mike Parson to declare who has authority over the office.

“Circuit Attorney Gardner resigned unexpectedly, and we are working out what happens now,” King told reporters including KSDK.

“We were invited in last week to form a transition team. And we’re now waiting [to hear] from the court or the governor on who will be the authority for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office.”

Gardner, who is pursuing a nursing degree, leaves the office after state Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Monday announced further trouble for her.

He disclosed that one of  his office’s investigators learned through surveillance that the former circuit attorney spent at least three hours at the Family Health Care Center in the Grove on April 27 – the day she later was chastised by a federal court judge in a contempt hearing for running “a rudderless ship of chaos.”

Gardner is pursuing a nursing degree.

“The timing of Gardner’s absence from her office on that Thursday morning and early afternoon was notable and highly questionable — and not merely because her office was in a general state of disarray at the time.”