Former St. Louis Prosecutor Admits To Using Public Funds To Cover Personal Court Fees

Kimberly Gardner used the funds to cover costs from a 2022 case against her by the Missouri Supreme Court.

Kimberly Gardner, a former St. Louis prosecutor previously supported by left-leaning billionaire George Soros, has admitted to using public funds to cover her own personal court fees.

Upon entering a pretrial diversion program with U.S. District Court in St. Louis, Gardner confirmed she had employees under her supervision write checks that amounted to over $5,000.

According to First Alert 4, employees took the money out of the Contingent Fund Account in her office. Gardner used the checks to cover the money spent in a 2022 case against her by the Missouri Supreme Court. In the case, the court found her in violation of ethical rules while prosecuting the state’s former governor, Eric Greitens.

The Contingent Fund remains reserved for prosecuting expenses. However, Gardner had the money “deposited in her personal bank account and used for her personal expenses unrelated to her job duties and the operations of the Circuit Attorney’s Office,” the diversion agreement stated.

Prior to her admission, Gardner faced pressure from both parties to resign from her role as the lead prosecutor in St. Louis. She did in June 2023.

Through her cooperation in the program, Gardner cannot break any laws and must report to a pretrial services officer. The agreement also defers prosecution for 18 months, but Gardner will have to pay back the funds as restitution.

“Ms. Gardner entered into a pre-charge diversion agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office,” wrote her attorney, Ronald S. Sullivan Jr., in a statement. “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.”

While no further investigation will take place, the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office did note that the current agreement is a “just and fair outcome” for the former official, said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming.