FARMINGTON, Mo (News First) – On Thursday morning (Aug 29th) St. Francois County Judge Robin Fulton presided over the hearing regarding the temporary restraining order filed by Desloge City Mayor Peter Pasternak and the Desloge Board of Aldermen. During the hearing held at the St. Francois County Courthouse, Judge Fulton approved the temporary restraining order because the Desloge City Council didn’t follow the proper procedures dictated by local and state laws.
Judge Fulton also ruled that the law firm that the Desloge Board of Aldermen retained, Kyle Cronin of Curtis, Heinz, Garnett & O’Keefe, can remain as the attorney, but was not done so legally. The aldermen did not pass an ordinance to hire the special council and that will have to be addressed at a later date. As part of the ruling, Judge Fulton ordered the Desloge Board of Aldermen to restart the entire impeachment process except the rehiring process of the special counsel.
Pasternak tells News First he’s anxious to see how the case proceeds.
Pasternak tells us the impeachment is politically motivated and he’s not done anything wrong.
Pasternak says Desloge residents haven’t said a negative word about him, and it’s all coming from City Hall.
Debra Kester, who previously voted no on impeaching Pasternak, was the only board member in court.
A Desloge Board of Aldermen meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 4:30 pm, and the Board of Aldermen will vote regarding an ordinance to impeach Pasternak. This meeting was rescheduled from August 28th after that meeting was ruled to be illegal and was not held after the meeting was not posted 24 hours in advance, which is required by state and local laws.
The next court hearing is scheduled for September 10th at 1 pm at the St. Francois County Courthouse.
