The St. Louis County Council voted 5-1-1 at its May 12 meeting to send an ethics violation against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Since then, St. Louis County Prosecutor Melissa Price Smith has recused herself from the inquiry in order to avoid bias and conflict of interest. The Missouri Attorney General’s office will now review the findings and determine the next legal steps.

The ethics violation stems from the belief that Page has been practicing medicine while in office, a violation of the county charter. Sixth District Councilman Mike Archer (R-Oakville), the Ethics Committee chairman, led the charge during his committee report, stating that the Ethics Committee has found Page practiced medicine a total of 85 days with 330 instances over the last four years. In 2023, it was 18 days with 65 instances. In 2024, it was 32 days with 129 instances. In 2025, it was 25 days with 93 instances of practicing medicine. This year, 10 days with 43 instances were found.

“The volunteering argument is a distinction without a difference,” Archer said, referring to Page’s past statements regarding the matter. “The charter says the county executive’s entire time shall be devoted to the duties of the office. We also found evidence that he did receive compensation in terms of dues and subscriptions, as well as payments from the social service network.”

After Archer’s report, he made a motion based on the committee’s findings to refer the complaint to the Missouri Attorney General and the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney — who, as aforementioned, has since recused herself — for consideration. This passed 5-1-1 with Fifth District Councilwoman Lisa Clancy as the lone “no” vote and Fourth District Councilwoman Shalonda Webb absent at the time of the vote.

It has not yet been determined whether the evidence is sufficient enough to pursue any further legal action.

“The Attorney General will make the decision as to the filing of the pleadings to remove (Page) from office. That petition is called a Quo Warranto,” Archer said. “If the AG does file the petition, then it will be assigned to a judge in St. Louis County and the judge will hear evidence regarding the same facts I presented at the Ethics hearing. It is an equitable proceeding and there will be no right to have a jury hear the case.”