Ethical Standards

Director of Administration, and the Executive Director of Operations to review and investigate whistleblower tips.

Revisited the Insider Deals of the Past: We have revisited my predecessor’s pay-to-play deals for campaign contributors to evaluate whether we can get a better deal for taxpayers. For example, we have engaged in a dialogue with the developers of the former Northwest Plaza shopping mall, who entered a lease with County government that costs taxpayers tens of millions of dollars more than it should. We are identifying and investigating several other incidents to make sure people are held accountable for corruption.

Cancelled Pensions for Criminal Politicians: I signed legislation to prevent an elected official from collecting a County pension if he is convicted of a felony committed while serving in his official role. Those who betray the public by committing serious crimes should not enjoy a public pension.

Appointed Federal Prosecutor as County Counselor: An attorney who worked with the federal prosecutors who brought down my predecessor has now been brought in-house. I appointed Beth Orwick, a former Assistant United States Attorney, as County Counselor to lead our legal team and compliance activities.

Required Ethical Compliance as Foundational: Early in my administration, I articulated my guiding principles for our County departments to include high ethical standards as a foundation of our work. I’ve since asked each department to identify how it will ensure compliance with high ethical standards in their everyday activities.

Ended Pay-to-Play Politics: I made it clear to our employees that our administration will not consider campaign contributions when making decisions about County government, grants, or contracts.

Ended No-Work Political Jobs: We ended no-work jobs. Unlike in the past, we will require appointed employees to work a full work week and to have job descriptions and assigned duties.

Ended Political Interference in County Employment: My predecessor had established a special process in County government whereby he had the sole discretion to approve or disapprove every civil service merit position that was hired. We eliminated that process so that the civil service system could not be manipulated for political purposes.

Oversaw Reforms to Economic Development Entities: The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, the St. Louis County Port Authority, and other County development agencies have been plagued by scandal and lack of oversight. Since I took office, both the Partnership and the Port Authority have implemented new processes and policies to improve operations, ensure checks and balances, and protect public funds from corruption. I appointed a group of respected business leaders to oversee the Partnership. I also ended the practice of the County Executive unilaterally controlling the Port Authority, a practice that led to criminal corruption in the past.

Ended Political Influence in Parking Garage Access: My predecessor’s desire to tightly control County government was so overwhelming that he prohibited leasing parking garage spaces in the Shaw Park Garage without his express permission. In fact, the County was not allowed to lease any garage space without the County Executive personally signing each lease agreement. He used this process to prevent political opponents from using the garage. We ended that practice and transferred leasing authority to the Department of Transportation and Public Works.