A Missouri county prosecutor has been ousted from office after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sought her removal over a series of improper relationships, including an alleged romance with an illegal immigrant facing sexual assault charges.
Ray County Prosecuting Attorney Camille Johnston was accused of engaging in multiple undisclosed romantic relationships that created conflicts of interest and compromised her duties as prosecutor. Hanaway filed a petition for quo warranto last week, which is a legal action used to challenge an individual’s right to hold public office.
A judge has since granted a preliminary order barring Johnston from exercising the powers of her office while the case proceeds.
The petition alleged Johnston maintained a romantic relationship with a private defense attorney who represented multiple criminal defendants prosecuted by her office. It also claims she had an undisclosed relationship with a defendant charged with domestic violence and an intimate relationship with another suspect accused of a sexual assault, whom she allegedly knew was illegally in the United States and subject to deportation.
The filing further alleged Johnston helped the suspect avoid arrest by assisting him in evading law enforcement and providing him with a vehicle, allowing him to flee.
“Respondent engaged in a romantic and intimate relationship with private defense counsel while defense counsel was representing several criminal defendants whom Respondent was prosecuting,” the petition said. It also alleged Johnston “assisted this individual in avoiding arrest and detention, and she facilitated his absconding by providing him with a vehicle.”
“When an elected official treats public office like their personal playground, betraying the public trust, ignoring legal obligations, and putting self-interest first, removal isn’t a suggestion, it’s a necessity,” Hanaway told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Johnston’s record reflects a sustained pattern of misconduct and willful neglect that has undermined the integrity of the prosecutor’s office and poses a serious threat to public safety. In Missouri, public office is public trust, not a personal entitlement, and no one is above accountability.”
Hanaway’s office identified the sexual assault suspect referred to as “J.G.” in the petition as Juan David Gutierrez. The office said the criminal case against Gutierrez remains pending but is currently on hold while another matter is on appeal.
SALENA ZITO: WHY MIDDLE AMERICA ISN’T ON YOUR TIMELINE
The attorney general’s office also alleged Johnston failed to recuse herself during the investigation into the sexual assault case involving Gutierrez. A local court later appointed the Missouri Attorney General’s Office to handle the prosecution.
The petition argued Johnston’s alleged conduct “is egregious and mandates her removal from office.”
Continue reading...
[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
