Judge issues restraining order in mayor’s impeachment process

By Stephanie Kim, Editor

Judge Robert Fulton issued a temporary restraining order in the impeachment process of Desloge mayor Pete Pasternak, Thursday morning, August 29, in St. Francois County Court. Pasternak had asked the court for the order, citing that he believed the Board of Alderpersons of Desloge had not followed the process outlined by city and state law governing his office removal.

Desloge City Hall, where the board meets for monthly meetings. Stephanie Kim

In making his ruling, the judge did not rule on the validity of the charges brought against Pasternak, only that the legal process for removing him had not been followed. He told counsel, Kyle Cronin, representing the Board of Alderpersons named in Pasternak’s request, the process should “start all over again.” He also advised Pasternak, who was representing himself, to consider seeking legal counsel as the process moves forward.

The city of Desloge had scheduled a meeting dealing with the impeachment proceedings for September 3, but with the restraining order, the purpose of the meeting may change.

After the ruling, Pasternak said, “5 of the 6 board of aldermen have not followed the law and the procedures of this process. It’s been flawed from the beginning.”

The date for the next hearing was set for Tuesday, September 10, at 1 p.m., in the St. Francois County Courthouse.