The rise and fall of Steve Stenger
Politically Speaking · St. Louis Public Radio
August 13, 201934m 29s
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Show Notes
On this edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum reflect on the rise and fall of former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger.
The Democratic official was sentenced to 46 months in prison last week for his role in a pay-to-play scheme. He’s been the subject to public scorn after a sentencing memo detailed vulgar and boorish comments about his political enemies.
But there’s more to Stenger’s story than just his rapid departure from office. A number of interest groups, such as organized labor, business leaders and top elected officials, played a key role in his rise to power. After entering office with the power to radically change St. Louis County government, most of Stenger’s tenure devolved into heated confrontations with the St. Louis County Council.