Mary Catherine Moran: The Other Scandalous St. Louis Resignation
Categories: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
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| Mary Catherine Moran is not pictured here |
The Post-Dispatch's Robert Patrick reported Friday that Moran, whose official title is "pre-trial release commissioner," submitted a letter of resignation effective April 1. Moran, 59, has held her job since 1999 and has been with the circuit court for more than 30 years.
In case you forgot, Moran is accused of helping Bob Block Bail Bonds, the city's largest bail bond firm, alter several defendants' bonds without the approval of a judge. The unauthorized changes reportedly occurred more than twenty times and helped Block earn thousands of dollars they wouldn't have received otherwise.
The Post-Dispatch broke the story and here's their explanation of Moran's alleged misdeeds:
The retirement follows an inquiry begun last month, after the Post-Dispatch revealed a pattern in which bonds for criminal defendants were changed without explanation or proper notification to prosecutors and victims.The Post also reports that St. Louis officials have contacted federal investigators with their concerns over the suspicious bail bond activity.
Those changes made it easier for defendants to get out of jail, under terms that made it possible for them to pay a bondsman to post bail. Sometimes a court official accepted a different, lower bond amount than set by a judge, with no explanation.
Missouri, meanwhile, is considering a reform of the state's bail bond laws.
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