ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – St. Louis County Councilman Dennis Hancock is asking the council to use public funds to pay for his legal defense.
Last month, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed a court petition saying Hancock had to forfeit his office because he appointed his stepdaughter as his administrative assistant. Hancock agreed to answer FOX 2’s questions by Thursday afternoon, but said he had COVID. At the time of this story’s publication, we have not heard back.
To mount a defense, Hancock sponsored his own bill asking the council to approve a contract with the law office of Kimberley Mathis. Legal fees would amount to $495 per hour, paid for with public funds. Councilwoman Rita Heard Days co-sponsored the bill.
“You’re going to have to have legal representation and, in your official capacity as a councilmember, you’re entitled to that,” she said. “This was not brought on by Councilman Hancock and I think those fees should be paid for.”
Councilman Ernie Trakas proposed a substitute bill instead. He says the county should cover the legal fees only if Hancock is successful in his defense.
“Government would be much better off if it operated closer to what happens in the private sector. This is a perfect example of that,” Trakas said.
Trakas’ substitute bill failed with a 3-3 vote this week, with Hancock abstaining. Hancock’s original bill was withheld from a vote.
“If it passes, he has financial benefit attached to it, ergo a conflict of interest, so I think the proper ethical thing to do is what he did with the sub bill and abstain from voting on it,” Trakas said.
With the council split on the issue, the court case will drag on. Hancock originally had until Sept. 17 to respond to the allegations. Last week, a judge agreed to delay that deadline until St. Louis County executes a contract with an attorney.
“We’re playing politics here with an issue. At the end of the day, this was simply about the council trying to get his own legal representation,” Days said.
That case has a status hearing scheduled for Oct. 17.
