ST. LOUIS — Former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner was sentenced to a pretrial diversion program after admitting to misusing public funds.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Sayler Fleming's office, Gardner admitted to directing her employees to issue her checks from the office's contingent fund. The release said she deposited the money, which totaled $5,004.33, into her own bank account and used it to pay a fine and other costs associated with a fine issued by the Missouri Supreme Court.
As part of the agreement, prosecution in the case was deferred for 18 months "during which time Gardner must avoid violating any laws, report to a pretrial services officer and follow the instructions of that pretrial services officer," the release said.
The case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the City of St. Louis receives more than $10,000 in federal program fund funds and Gardner admitted to misusing more than $5,000 in public funds.
Gardner was also required to repay the diverted funds to the circuit attorney's office.
“This is a just and fair outcome for a case involving a former official and the misuse of public funds that just met the minimum required under the pertinent federal criminal statute,” Fleming said in the release.
Gardner's attorney, Ronald Sullivan, provided the following statement:
"Ms. Gardner entered into a pre-charge diversion agreement with the U.S. Attorney's office. The parties agreed to resolve the matter prior to any criminal action commencing and to spare the district the time and costs associated with defending any claim of criminal wrongdoing. While Ms. Gardner was prepared to vigorously defend any allegations that may have been lodged against her, she and the government agreed to end any dispute and terminate any investigation with the pre-charge diversion agreement."
Gardner resigned as circuit attorney in May of 2023 after her office was under mounting pressure following contempt of court hearings, staff attorney resignations and the handling of high-profile cases.
In one case, a 17-year-old volleyball player was critically injured in a crash caused by a suspect who was supposed to be on house arrest.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Gardner was sentenced to probation. This story has been corrected to say she entered a pretrial diversion program.