Support this station
St. Louis Public Radio News
St. Louis Public Radio News
Feds look into St. Louis Police Department's misuse of impounded vehicles
AP/KWMU (2008-07-22)
Mokwa (KWMU staff photo)
ST. LOUIS (St. Louis Public Radio) - An investigation is being re-opened into how a company that seized cars for St. Louis police allowed the police chief's daughter to use those vehicles.

For years, the department contracted with a towing firm to take vehicles seized during arrests. If those vehicles were not claimed, the towing firm sold them.

Last week, the St. Louis police board said an internal investigation found problems with the system, but no wrongdoing. Now, the U.S. Attorney's office in St. Louis is joining the investigation, and they're asking questions about how much Police Chief Joe Mokwa knew and when he knew it.

On his website, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says the internal report had shortcomings, and he supports turning the matter over to U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway. Slay is also a member of the police board. © Copyright 2012, St. Louis Public Radio