This article originally appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Aug. 13, 2013: After a string of published reports examining contracting for the county's new crime lab, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley has thrown his support behind adding subcontractors to the county’s conflict of interest policy.
Dooley told the St. Louis County Council on Tuesday that “recent events outlined in the media relative to a subcontractor in the police crime lab have raised questions about the interpretation of St. Louis County’s conflict of interest law.”
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has published a series of articles in the last week examining a subcontract for heating and air conditioning construction for St. Louis County’s new crime lab. The paper reported that the county awarded ICS Construction Service the contract to build the facility. That company then awarded a subcontract to SM Mechanical LLC to do about $3.7 million worth of heating and air conditioning work.
Gregory Sansone, a member of the St. Louis County Police Board, is an owner of SM Mechanical LLC.
But St. Louis County Counselor Pat Redington told the Post-Dispatch that the move didn’t violate the county charter because it was the ICS Construction Service – not St. Louis County – awarding the subcontract.
Even so, Dooley says he believes action is needed to avoid perceptions of conflict of interest.
“While we believe we certainly acted within the current law, I’m proposing legislation that going forward subcontractors will be subject to the same prohibitions as contractors,” he said. “Again, I think that’s very important that as we go forward that there be no confusion about what it is we’re trying to accomplish.”
When asked why he decided to propose such a change, Dooley added, “We’re going to take it further and enhance it and make sure there is no discussion about it.”
“Good people have different opinions on things,” Dooley said. “So we’re going to clarify it and say ‘look, include subcontractors in there as well.’ Put that language in the ordinance itself.”
'I support Chief Fitch'
Dooley also emphasized that he was not seeking to depose St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch, who had asked the FBI to investigate the situation.
After calling for FBI intervention, Fitch told the Post-Dispatch, “I feel that the majority of our board members are there for the right reason, but there’s always been a few that will abuse that position and it’s not my job to cover for them.”
After the Post-Dispatch articles came out, the St. Louis County Police Association president said in a statement that Dooley “could restock the Police Board to further an apparent attempt to remove Chief Fitch.” The SLCPA also wanted to pass a resolution offering support for Fitch.
But Dooley flatly denied that he was trying to oust Fitch. He also said that he supported the FBI inquiry.
“I support Chief Fitch,” Dooley said. “There’s just one instance where we have a disagreement was on what the process was. But overall, I support the chief.
“I’ve asked if I support or endorse that, I would wholeheartedly endorse that,” he added, referring to the FBI inquiry. “And I do want it taken to its conclusion. I do believe in due process of law.”
