Conflict of Interest in the Comptroller's Office?
An Appearance of an Ethical Violation is Damaging to Public Trust
This week, the Post-Dispatch reported on a potential conflict of interest in St. Louis’ Comptroller’s office. Darlene Green’s top auditor, Leonard Bell Jr., is affiliated with a company owned by Darryl Jones, who has held dining contracts with the airport for the past 25 years. Bell is responsible for “approving and auditing” airport contracts, which include Jones’ company, D&D Concessions (Barker, 2025). Barker (2025) also reported that Jones is also a political donor to a PAC that supports Darlene Green’s re-election and has donated $3,000 in February of this year.
Bell claims that he went through the proper channels and disclosed his secondary employment, which was signed by a manager in the comptroller’s office. This disclosure was not signed by Darlene Green, who claims to be unaware of this business relationship (Barker, 2025). Though Bell maintains that there are no ethical violations, the very appearance of an ethical violation is damaging enough and should be avoided by public administrators at all levels of local government, especially higher level employees. This principle is established in the City of St. Louis’ own employee code of ethics:
Employees should continually be mindful that they are hired and paid to perform certain duties. Situations may arise, however, when there seems to be a conflict between their official responsibilities and their personal interests. These may be situations involving financial dealings, spending City funds, regulating businesses or individuals, purchasing supplies or materials or contracting for services. In order to avoid an impropriety – or giving the appearance of an impropriety – employees should alert their supervisors immediately of such conflicting situations.
These ethical conflicts are further clarified in the “Relationships with Third Parties” section in the city’s employee code of conduct (2021):
Employees are prohibited from having a personal interest, directly or indirectly, in a contract with the City. City employees must not allow their personal interests or relationships with third parties to influence, or create the impression of influencing, their decisions in the performance of their duties on behalf of the City.
One question came to mind when I first read this article. Why was Darlene Green unaware of her top auditor’s side business? As the city’s CFO, who sits on the St. Louis Airport Commission and oversees all city contracts, she has a duty to her constituents to make sure that there is no impropriety in her office.
Why It Matters
Loss of the Public’s Trust
Through my research and engagement with voters, folks from all points on the political spectrum express a major loss in trust in our local government. The inability to provide basic city services and the idea that politicians are getting richer, yet more ineffective are common complaints that I hear from residents. The appearance of a conflict of interest is damaging to the image of the city and our systems. The rhetoric that “all the politicians need to go” and “they are all corrupt” are common sentiments that I hear from voters. It is problematic because these feelings can discourage citizens from being civically engaged (Prats et al., 2024), which only perpetuates the status quo.
Unfair to Other Potential Contractors
It was also reported that at least one other potential vendor was interested in the city’s 2022 multi-year airport restaurants contract (Barker, 2025). Would a relationship between the company and the comptroller’s auditor have an influence over the selection process? How can the public be assured that their interest is being put ahead of those of a few individuals?
Diminishes Rule of Law
The overall rule of law, that all citizens and public officials are accountable for their actions is important for our democracy and expanding our values and Constitutional rights. It is the idea that “no one is above the law”, meaning that we are beholden to the law and not to one person, group, political party, or religious group. This is why ethics are so important in public administration. When it appears that a government employee is using their position for personal gain and is getting away with it, it signals to the public that rules do not matter.
Next Steps
Vote!
There is an upcoming election on April 8th, and early voting is open! For the first time in 30 years, the St. Louis City has a second choice for comptroller, Donna Baringer. My neighbor and community volunteer, Joseph Miclovic, attests to Donna’s commitment to fairness and integrity:
The core of Baringer’s campaign is a dedication to fairness and integrity—values that are essential for managing city contracts, conducting audits, and overseeing financial operations. Her decision-making process is thorough and consultative; she seeks expert opinions and considers all implications before supporting or opposing initiatives. Such attention to detail and insistence on prioritizing city interests distinguish her as a leader who will champion responsible governance.
Demand from Officials More Transparency and Ethics Training for City Employees.
The City of St. Louis’ ethics laws are not easily researchable on the city’s website. I found several ordinances that address ethics at the legislative level but little information on overall ethical standards and policies of the city’s government. When I worked in a patronage position with the city, only managers were sent for ethical training, but when I worked at the Board of Elections, they required it for all their employees. I attended a 1/2 day training on ethics, which I felt was very beneficial, but there is room for improvement. The city should conduct more frequent ethics trainings for all employees, and tailor these sessions to the position and level of responsibility that the employee holds.
References
Barker, J. (2025, March 27). Top St. Louis auditor works on the side for businesses linked to major city contractor. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/article_b8cfcace-3ece-4dba-bf64-1b73a9e6f4fc.html
City of St. Louis. (2021). Employee code of conduct. Department of Personnel. https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/personnel/documents/city-of-st-louis-employee-code-of-conduct.cfm
Prats, M., S. Smid and M. Ferrin (2024), “Lack of trust in institutions and political engagement: An analysis based on the 2021 OECD Trust Survey”, OECD Working Papers on Public Governance, No. 75, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/83351a47-en
The recent revelations surrounding St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green’s office raise critical concerns not only about potential conflicts of interest but also about the fundamental qualifications and accountability of those entrusted with overseeing the city’s finances. While the ethical questions regarding her top auditor, Leonard Bell Jr., are troubling, they are only part of a larger pattern: throughout her career, Green has largely ascended to power through political appointments rather than through a demonstrated record of independent financial expertise.
It is important to remember that before becoming comptroller, Green was first appointed to head the city’s Budget Division by then-Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. when JoAnn LaSala left the position. She was later appointed as comptroller in 1995 by Bosley to replace Virvus Jones, who had resigned amid legal troubles. From that moment on, she has remained in office not because of an extensive career in accounting or financial leadership outside of city government, but due to the political advantages that come with incumbency. Over the years, she has leveraged appointments and political connections to maintain her position rather than securing it based on a proven track record of exceptional financial stewardship.
This most recent controversy reinforces the notion that Green's leadership has been defined by political maneuvering rather than fiscal responsibility. The fact that she claims to have been unaware of her top auditor’s business dealings, despite holding the ultimate responsibility for financial oversight in the city, suggests either negligence or willful ignorance—neither of which is acceptable in a position as crucial as city comptroller.
A true financial expert leading the city’s finances would have proactively ensured that conflicts of interest were identified and prevented, rather than having to react after they became public. A qualified comptroller should be actively engaged in oversight, setting rigorous ethical standards, and demanding accountability from subordinates. Instead, Green’s tenure has been marked by a reliance on political survival rather than on the kind of independent financial acumen the office requires.
The residents of St. Louis deserve a comptroller who earns and maintains their trust through competence, not simply through political longevity. If Green cannot ensure transparency and accountability in her own office, then perhaps it is time for the city to demand leadership that prioritizes financial expertise over political convenience.