A city council member raised concerns about Brockmeyer three years ago, saying he didn't listen to testimony, review reports, or allow witnesses to testify, and suggested that Brockmeyer not be reappointed. Shaw acknowledged Brockmeyer's work had issues, but said, “It goes without saying the city cannot afford to lose any efficiency in our courts, nor experience any decrease in our fines and forfeitures,” Shaw said.
The word has been out on James Shaw for years, but he truly made Ferguson and its surrounding towns so much money that it was an offer they couldn't refuse. In addition to being the lone municipal judge in Ferguson, Ronald Brockmeyer was paid separately to serve as a judge and prosecutor
in four other municipalities, including lead prosecutor for Florissant, municipal prosecutor for Vinita Park, municipal prosecutor for Dellwood, and municipal judge for Breckenridge Hills
The jig is up, though.
In addition to be cited over and over again in the Ferguson report, Radley Balko of the Washington Post began uncovering Brockmeyer's harsh ways back in September just a month after the murder of Mike Brown. The Guardian then revealed that Brockmeyer, who would send people to jail for owing $100, hypocritically owes over $170,000 to the IRS.
The jig is up, though.
Brockmeyer first resigned in Ferguson. Then he resigned as prosecutor in Dellwood. The mayor also forgave all fines under Brockmeyer's recent tenure. Then he resigned in Florissant and Vinita Park. Now, his only remaining position is as a judge in Breckenridge Hills, but city officials are meeting on Monday to discuss it.
What's clear is this: Without the authority of the DOJ's Ferguson report, Brockmeyer would still be abusing citizens all over St. Louis County.