St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell has dropped a quo warranto petition to remove Dennis Hancock from his seat on the St. Louis County Council.

“Our office deputized a Warren County prosecutor with expertise in quo warranto petitions to ensure that we are fulfilling our duty to uphold the Missouri Constitution and enforce the anti-nepotism laws. We have determined that it is in the best interest of the public to continue our investigation of this and related matters; therefore, we are withdrawing the quo warranto petition at this time,” Chris King, a spokesperson for the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s office, stated in a press release. “To be clear, this investigation is ongoing, and we encourage individuals with relevant information to contact investigator Patrick Henson at 314-312-9230.”

Court documents state that on Aug. 19, Hancock appointed Hollie Galati to be his legislative assistant; both Hancock and Galati acknowledged that they are related. Per the Missouri Constitution, “any public officer or employee in this state who by virtue of his office or employment names or appoints to public office or employment any relative within the fourth degree, by consanguinity or affinity, shall thereby forfeit his office or employment.”

Hancock, a Republican and former mayor of Fenton, has represented the 3rd District on the council since 2022. In addition to Fenton, the 3rd District also includes the municipalities of Sunset Hills, Kirkwood and portions of unincorporated South County.