Audit reveals over $4.9 million in missing cars while former employees allege corruption persisted for years
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ST. LOUIS, Missouri — Federal prosecutors are investigating the St. Louis City Tow Lot after whistleblowers revealed systemic corruption, including millions of dollars in missing vehicles and tens of thousands in unaccounted cash.
A city audit released in March found that 568 of 1,133 vehicles — with an estimated value of nearly $5 million — were missing from inventory. Additionally, more than $80,000 in cash was unaccounted for, while 33% of tow tickets were either missing, incomplete or showed incorrect amounts.
Four years after initial complaints surfaced in a 5 On Your Side I-Team expose, the dysfunctional accounting systems were never addressed, according to former employees who faced retaliation for speaking out.
Angelica Woods, who worked for the city for 23 years, was awarded $257,000 in damages by a federal jury after court records showed she was terminated by the former Streets Department director for discussing concerns with local media.
"Because a lot of cash was being taken under the table here. It was a lot of corruption within the city," Woods said about her decision to come forward despite risking her position.
Two additional former tow lot employees have now stepped forward with similar allegations spanning from 2020 to 2023.
"A lot of the employees was taking the cars and benefiting for themselves," said George Hooker, a 14-year city...
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