By Bill Raack, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis – A state representative from St. Louis is calling for Vince Bommarito to be removed from the St. Louis Police Board.
On Thursday Democrat Jamilah Nasheed asked Governor Jay Nixon to take the action following news that Bommarito used his influence to have his nephew freed from jail Saturday following an arrest on suspicion of drunk driving.
Nixons said he has not seen Nasheed's request, but he has reviewed a letter from Police Chief Dan Isom outlining the situation.
"That letter contains serious allegations and as I indicated then my office is working with public safety director John Britt to ascertain the relevant facts and make a recommendation to me for appropriate action in an expeditious manner," Nixon said. "We're looking at this very closely, very quickly."
Nasheed is sponsoring a bill that would return the St. Louis police department to local control after a century and a half of state oversight.
She said this latest controversy should improve the bill's chances of passage.