ST. LOUIS聽 鈥⒙犅A former state legislator jailed in 2014 for felony theft has been hired by the city's recorder of deeds.
Former state Rep. Steve Webb, D-Florissant, began work in early January in a clerical position, Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler said Wednesday.
Webb, who chaired the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, resigned from the House in 2013 after he was accused of misusing money donated to the caucus.
He was charged with soliciting a $3,000 donation from Community Loans of America to sponsor a black caucus reception in Washington. Instead, according to court documents, he deposited the money in an account in the name of the Missouri Black Caucus and then transferred it to a personal account for his own use.
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He pleaded guilty to felony theft and was sentenced to 45 days in jail and five years' probation.
Butler, who served with Webb in the House, said Webb has great leadership qualities and is dedicated and a hard worker.
"He's made this office much better," he said. "He's worked in corporate America. He's owned his own business."
Asked by a reporter why he hired someone with a criminal record, Butler responded, "why not?"
Butler added that while in the Legislature, Butler had supported efforts to remove questions about job candidates' criminal history from personnel applications. Such measures, known as "ban the box" laws, aim to remove barriers to ex-offenders searching for jobs聽and to reduce recidivism.
Butler's personnel manager, Tim Person, said Webb's annual salary is about $38,000. Webb, 43, is among several people with the title of recorder clerk II, Butler said.
Butler was sworn in as recorder in January after winning election last November. He defeated longtime incumbent Sharon Carpenter in the Democratic primary in August. He also is the 狐狸视频 Democratic Committee chairman.