Ex-St. Louis prosecutor admits she misused public funds and avoids criminal charges – KION546

Associated Press

Federal authorities say a former St. Louis prosecutor has admitted misusing thousands of dollars in public funds to pay back after she was fined for mistakes in prosecuting a Republican governor. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Wednesday that former prosecutor Kim Gardner had her staff reimburse her for expenses from her office’s emergency fund, which she should not have done. Gardner will avoid federal prosecution as long as she pays back the $5,004 and follows the other rules of a pretrial diversion agreement. Gardner, a Democrat, was elected in 2016 as part of a movement of progressive prosecutors. She resigned last year amid criticism.