ST. LOUIS – The federal government gave nearly $500 million to the City of St. Louis over three years ago. Now, a citizen-led petition is requesting the State of Missouri to step in and conduct an audit on the city, led by sixth-generation St. Louisan and small business owner Andrew Policek.
“The transparency of where that money is going is a very large concern. The good thing about when you follow the money is, it tells you very clearly where things went,” Policek said.
Over 7,000 residents, along with 10 of the 14 aldermen, signed the petition asking for a performance audit. The audit would investigate all 22 departments Mayor Tishaura Jones oversees.
“A financial audit says where the numbers tie. A performance audit says did the money go where it was supposed to go, and did it meet the parameters it was supposed to meet,” Policek said.
Since the city has been given hundreds of millions in federal money over the last three years, Policek said it’s time to see where it’s going.
Like many, he believes if the money is used correctly, it could transform the landscape of the city.
“It’s an enormous opportunity we’ve never had, and when you see it squandered—and I think that is the right term, it seems like it’s being squandered—it’s a lost opportunity that could affect generations, and I think it’s an absolute travesty,” he said.
A spokesman from the mayor’s office sent FOX 2 the following statement:
“The City of St. Louis would be happy to cooperate with an audit from the Missouri State Auditor’s office.”
One of the departments in the city many have questioned is the St. Louis Development Corporation.
Tameka Stigers has been the owner of Locs of Glory, a salon on Delmar, for 15 years.
She applied for a grant through SLDC in September 2023 and learned she wasn’t awarded financial assistance when the department posted on its website. After filling out the application correctly online and corresponding with her alderwoman, she continues to wonder why a business open less than two years was awarded.
“When you have a business that was just formed in August of 2023 on the list to receive not one, but two grants that’s almost $800,000, that’s a slap in my face. That’s a slap in any business owner who suffered through COVID, had to close their doors, and, by the grace of God, was able to continue in business and then not receive a grant, but a business like that to receive such a large allocation,” she said.
Stigers thinks there is a conflict of interest in the grant selection process.
“The mayor continues to say there are no legal or compliance issues with what they’re doing, but there’s a moral issue. You’re not being true to the word that you want to support small businesses,” she said.
We reached out to the SLDC but did not hear back. Stigers believes an audit of all 22 city departments is needed for transparency.
“This audit will help do that. Because it’s going to see, where are the inconsistences? You’re telling the public one thing, then behind your back you’re doing something different. That’s not good governance at all,” Stigers said.
The audit could provide what her and the thousands of other residents who signed it are looking for.
“Who knows, right? Maybe we’re wrong. But let’s see,” Policek said.