Newspaper alleges St. Louis prosecutor violating open records law

FILE - In this May 5, 2017, file photo, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner poses in St. Louis. A grand jury that indicted the man hired by Gardner to investigate former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has disbanded, but Gardner may not be clear of scrutiny. The grand jury's term expired Monday, July 8, 2019 without a second indictment. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, citing unnamed sources, reports that an investigation of Gardner continues and a special prosecutor may request another grand jury. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
FILE - In this May 5, 2017, file photo, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner poses in St. Louis. A grand jury that indicted the man hired by Gardner to investigate former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has disbanded, but Gardner may not be clear of scrutiny. The grand jury's term expired Monday, July 8, 2019 without a second indictment. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, citing unnamed sources, reports that an investigation of Gardner continues and a special prosecutor may request another grand jury. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is suing the office of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, alleging violation of Missouri's open records law.

The Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that the lawsuit alleges that Gardner's office violated the law by refusing to release contracts and invoices that would reveal how the office is spending public money on legal and professional services. The suit was filed Wednesday.

Gardner's office on July 18 rejected the newspaper's requests for contracts since Jan. 1, 2017, her first day on the job, including agreements to pay law firms, consultants and community activists.

A spokeswoman for Gardner says the documents aren't being released because they're part of ongoing litigation.

Gardner has come under scrutiny for her handling of criminal charges last year against former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens.

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