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County Council plans probe of Economic Development Partnership

The move signals the committee's willingness to take on a power base for County Executive Steve Stenger.
Sheila Sweeney, CEO of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership

ST. LOUIS BUSINESS JOURNAL -- The St. Louis County Council’s ethics committee plans an investigation of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the county’s port authority over concerns that their structure has allowed non-elected officials too much power over tax dollars.

The first hearing could come before the end of the month. The move signals the committee's willingness to take on a power base for County Executive Steve Stenger; the partnership’s CEO, Sheila Sweeney, is a Stenger ally and both organizations have worked to advance his economic development agenda.

Councilman Ernie Trakas, who leads the ethics committee, said the investigation would focus on, among other things:

  • the partnership’s involvement in planning grading work in Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park, where a St. Louis Blues practice facility was to be built;
  • the St. Louis County Port Authority’s awarding of contracts, including with Cardinal Creative Consulting, whose owner, John Rallo, is a Stenger campaign donor;
  • and how the port authority, which is staffed by the partnership, interacts with the economic development organization.

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