Former 果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger pleaded guilty Friday to three federal counts in a pay-to-play scheme. He will be sentenced Aug. 9. His plea likely ends a political career that spanned more than a decade. Here鈥檚 a look at Stenger鈥檚 time as a public servant.
Nov. 4, 2008 鈥 Political newcomer Steve Stenger, a lawyer and accountant who grew up in Affton, defeats incumbent Republican John Campisi for the 6th District 果酱视频 County Council seat representing South County. The race is marked by animosity, with the Democrat and Republican accusing each other of being unethical and unfit for the job.
Oct. 15, 2013 鈥 Pledging to 鈥渃lean house鈥 and launch a 鈥渢op-to-bottom audit of 果酱视频 County government,鈥 Stenger formally announces his bid to challenge 10-year incumbent 果酱视频 County Executive Charlie Dooley.
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Aug. 5, 2014 鈥 With the strong support of organized labor and longtime former 果酱视频 County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch, Stenger cruises to victory over Dooley with 66 percent of the vote.
Oct. 23, 2014 鈥 Insurance company owner John Rallo is introduced to Stenger by a close friend, Sorkis J. Webbe Jr., a former 果酱视频 alderman who was sentenced to prison in 1986 for vote fraud, attempted extortion and harboring a fugitive. Rallo makes his first $5,000 campaign donation to Stenger with the understanding that Stenger would help him get insurance contracts if he won the general election for county executive. Rallo and his associate would go on to donate about $50,000 to Stenger鈥檚 campaign.
Nov. 4, 2014 鈥 With the events of Ferguson erupting just a few days after Stenger beat Dooley in the Democratic primary, Stenger defeats Republican Rick Stream by less than 2,000 votes in the general election. Some north 果酱视频 County Democratic Party groups actively back the Republican Stream in retaliation for Stenger鈥檚 defeat of Dooley and his alliance with McCulloch.
August 2015 鈥 Sheila Sweeney takes over as interim CEO of the 果酱视频 Economic Development Partnership at Stenger鈥檚 recommendation. Stenger works with Sweeney to steer contracts and make political hires at the Partnership.
Dec. 1, 2015 鈥 Responding to the issues the Ferguson unrest brought to light, one of the Stenger administration鈥檚 first major initiatives seeks to set minimum standards for the roughly 50 police departments across 果酱视频 County. Creve Coeur, Clayton and 10 other municipalities sue to block it, and a state appeals court eventually invalidates it.
March 1, 2016 鈥 果酱视频 County becomes the first jurisdiction in Missouri to enact a prescription drug monitoring program. New County Executive Sam Page, a councilman at the time, and Stenger work together to lead the initiative. Page would later become the leader of the council opposition to Stenger.
May 10, 2016 鈥 The 果酱视频 County Port Authority awards Rallo a sham $100,000 鈥渕arketing鈥 contract to promote the region in the wake of the Ferguson unrest. A month later, Sweeney tacks on $30,000 without board approval in order to pay off political operative John Cross, a close associate of Rep. William Lacy Clay, for his work on Stenger鈥檚 2014 election. The Post-Dispatch reports on the contract in February 2018.
June 21, 2016 鈥 果酱视频 County Council introduces legislation to move several county offices to Northwest Plaza, which the Stenger administration says will save $10 million over the term of the 20-year lease. It is one of the first deals to raise eyebrows about Stenger鈥檚 relationship with his donors and one of the biggest in his tenure. The owners of Northwest Plaza, Robert and David Glarner, have given at least $365,000 to Stenger鈥檚 campaign account. A Post-Dispatch investigation in February 2018 shows that the lease deal could end up costing money, and council members say they were misled about the deal.
April 4, 2017 鈥 Stenger鈥檚 strong support for Prop P, which ends up giving 果酱视频 County Police officers raises of about 30 percent on average, earns him political support from law enforcement. The 果酱视频 County Police Association endorses him in his reelection campaign.
May 31, 2017 鈥 Rallo and his business partners buy the first of two large industrial parks owned by a county development agency. Federal prosecutors say the deal was engineered by Sweeney at Stenger鈥檚 behest. The Post-Dispatch reports on the deal in August 2017. Stenger claims he has no control over the Economic Development Partnership.
July 24, 2018 鈥 果酱视频 County Council members say sources tell them Partnership CEO Sweeney has been followed by federal agents.
Aug. 8, 2018 鈥 Stenger defeats wealthy challenger Mark Mantovani in the Democratic primary for 果酱视频 County Executive. He cruises to reelection against a little-known Republican opponent.
March 21, 2019 鈥 Federal prosecutors issue a federal subpoena to 果酱视频 County for records related to county contracts and emails and text messages from Stenger and other staff members.
April 29, 2019 鈥 Federal indictment of Stenger on pay-to-play charges is announced; Stenger resigns.
May 3, 2019 鈥 Stenger pleads guilty.
Page, 53, a member of the council since 2014 and chairman since 2017, was elected county executive by a 5-1 vote of his colleagues on Monday.
File photos of 果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger
Photo of Steve Stenger at entrance to county government building
A photo of Steve Stenger , 果酱视频 County Executive hangs in the entrance of the County government building in Clayton. Stenger is expected to resign the office today, Monday, April 29, 2019, after being indicted. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-
County Council Meeting
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger, right, listens to district six councilman Ernie Trakas, left, in the middle is district five councilwoman Lisa Clancy during a county council meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 in the County Administration Building. Stenger was expected to provide a prepared statement on the federal subpoena, however he left after the public comment period. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com
Steve Stenger - 'I am not resigning.'
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger leaves the Administration Building in Clayton that houses his ninth floor office on Monday, April 1, 2019. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Stenger speaks with Post-Dispatch
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger responds to questions with journalists on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in the offices of the Post-Dispatch. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
果酱视频 County Council overrides County Executive Stenger's veto
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger takes questions from a reporter after the conclusion of a meeting where the county council overrode Stenger's veto of five bills on Tuesday, May 29, 2018. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
County council passes resolution to remove Stenger
County Executive Steve Stenger enters the room before a meeting of the county council on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Photo by Cristina M. Fletes, cfletes@post-dispatch.com.
County council passes resolution to remove Stenger
果酱视频 County Council Chairman Sam Page looks over at fellow council members as they vote on a proposal to remove County Executive Steve Stenger at a meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Stenger, whose chair is at left, exited the meeting early. Photo by Cristina M. Fletes, cfletes@post-dispatch.com.
Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball at City Hall
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger (right) and Mayor Lyda Krewson address the crowd during the Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball at City Hall in 果酱视频 on Friday, March 1, 2019. Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Inauguration of 果酱视频 County elected leaders
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger is sworn in by Judge Henry E. Autrey during the inauguration ceremony for 果酱视频 County elected leaders at Memorial Plaza outside of the 果酱视频 County Police Department in Clayton on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Photo by Cristina M. Fletes, cfletes@post-dispatch.com.
Stenger watch party in Clayton ready for a celebration
County Executive candidate Steve Stenger (right) shares a laugh with 果酱视频 County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch (left) in his hotel room on Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2014, at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel in Clayton. Stenger was watching results before coming downstairs to the watch party. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com
果酱视频 County Council overrides County Executive Stenger's veto
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger takes questions from a reporter after the conclusion of a meeting where the county council overrode Stenger's veto of five bills on Tuesday, May 29, 2018. The council also attacked Stenger for not being present at the meeting. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Stenger speaks with Post-Dispatch
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger responds to questions with journalists on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in the offices of the Post-Dispatch. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Stenger supporters gather to watch results
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger is congratulated by a supporter after declaring victory in his race with Mark Mantovani onTuesday, August 7, 2018, at Stenger's election party at the Local 110 Laborer's Union hall in Sunset Hills. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Stenger supporters gather to watch results
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger takes the stage after declaring victory in his race with Mark Mantovani on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at Stenger's election party at the Local 110 Laborer's Union hall in Sunset Hills. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Stenger supporters gather to watch results
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger greets supporters after declaring victory in his race with Mark Mantovani onTuesday, August 7, 2018, at Stenger's election party at the Local 110 Laborer's Union hall in Sunset Hills. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
PARSON STENGER MEETING
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger speaks to members of the media following a meeting with Missouri Governor Mike Parson at the county Administration Building on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, in Clayton. Photo by Ryan Michalesko, rmichalesko@post-dispatch.com
PARSON STENGER MEETING
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger, left, and Missouri Governor Mike Parson chat following a meeting between the two men at the 果酱视频 County Administration Building on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, in Clayton. Photo by Ryan Michalesko, rmichalesko@post-dispatch.com
PARSON STENGER MEETING
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger, left, and Missouri Governor Mike Parson chat following a meeting between the two men at the 果酱视频 County Administration Building on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, in Clayton. Photo by Ryan Michalesko, rmichalesko@post-dispatch.com
Stenger signs "Ban the Box"
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger talks to reporters after signing an executive order removing questions about county job applicant criminal history at a signing ceremony at the Urban League of Metropolitan 果酱视频 in Ferguson on Monday, June 11, 2018. The order delays questions about criminal history until later in the hiring process, but does not apply to those applying for jobs in law enforcement or the courts. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Stenger signs "Ban the Box"
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger signs an executive order removing questions about county job applicant criminal history at a signing ceremony at the Urban League of Metropolitan 果酱视频 in Ferguson on Monday, June 11, 2018. The order delays questions about criminal history until later in the hiring process, but does not apply to those applying for jobs in law enforcement or the courts. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
North County Transit Center
果酱视频 County executive Steve Stenger (left) and Bi-State Development President and CEO John Nations (center) walk into the North County Transit Center during a ribbon cutting event in Ferguson on Thursday, March 10, 2016. The new transit center will open on Monday, March 14. The new building features an indoor waiting area, public restrooms, 24/7 security, a park and ride lot, and a cafe that will open in the summer. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Steve Stenger
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger, speaking the AFL-CIO's national convention at America's Center in downtown 果酱视频 on Oct. 23, 2017. (Photo by Lisa Brown lbrown@post-dispatch.com).
Krewson, Stenger move closer to city-county merger plans
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger speaks at a joint news conference with 果酱视频 Mayor Lyda Krewson on Monday, June 12, 2017, at the Cheshire Inn hotel. The two voiced their positions following a released report of a city-county merger study by the Better Together organization. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
果酱视频 County Executive Steve Stenger takes questions from a reporter after the conclusion of a meeting where the county council overrode Stenger's veto of five bills on Tuesday, May 29, 2018. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Jacob Barker | Post-Dispatch
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