Attorney General's News Release

June 2, 2003

Nixon files lawsuit to oust Riverview Gardens school board member

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today filed a quo warranto petition in St. Louis County Circuit Court to remove Vincent T. Dungey as a board member of the Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education.

Nixon's lawsuit alleges Dungey is ineligible to hold public office in Missouri because Dungey has not completed his sentence after pleading guilty in 2000 to three felony charges of passing bad checks. Dungey was elected to the school board in April and was seated on the board that month.

Missouri law states that anyone who has been convicted of or who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony offense is ineligible to hold any elective or appointive public office in Missouri until that person's sentence or period of probation is completed. Another state law authorizes the Attorney General to bring a quo warranto action to remove anyone illegally holding public office in Missouri.

Circuit Judge Kenneth M. Romines ordered Dungey to appear at a hearing on the ouster petition at 8:30 a.m. on June 16 in Division 10, St. Louis County Circuit Court.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818