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After a two-year legal battle, Steve Wyatt Earp was sentenced to five years of parole and required to repay $189,000 within 30 days. Earp was hired in 2006 as a political consultant to manage the Citizen's Committee Proposition EJ campaign, a referendum to raise property taxes that would go toward STLCC's income. Earp used the funds for personal items, purchasing a BMW, a Lexus and an engagement ring along with other excessive expenditures. Earp faced a jury trial on June 2, 2009 where he was found guilty of two felony counts for stealing more than $25,000. On June 5, 2009, after more evidence was presented, he was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to repay the money. The last chapter of his sentencing was full of emotions.
At 8:55 a.m. on June 5, Earp stood in the hall of the courtroom of the Mel Carnahan Court House. Earp's dad and other family members were inside the courtroom.
In the previous sentence hearing, Earp was accompanied by his wife, Tiffany J. Boyer-Earp. On May 8, 2009, however, she committed suicide, adding to the tension of the case.
Bob Nelson, STLCC Board of Trustees chairman, Bob Gaffner, campaign EJ secretary, and John Roedel, treasurer for the EJ campaign were also in the courtroom.
Before Judge Donald McCullin gave his verdict, Earp shook hands with some members of his family, nodding his head and saying "yes." They smiled. Assistant Circuit Attorney Daniel Proost had the chance to call a witness to speak. Thomas Nesky, detective for St. Louis metropolitan major fraud section spoke before the judge.
Nesky said that his first encounter with Earp came when he searched Earp's office.
"He chose to challenge our authority with profanity," Nesky said, "to the point where Earp was almost threatened with arrest." Nesky's second encounter, he said, was when he ordered Earp's arrest for the first time.
"We were met again with indignity and profanity. He treated all those involved with rudeness," Nesky said. "We all make mistakes, but it is how we handle our mistakes that show our integrity and character."
Nesky said Earp's behavior showed his lack of reform and "his total defiance toward the law."
After Nesky spoke, Clinton Wright, Earp's attorney, and Proost, were called before the judge to make final remarks.
"Earp is guilty of stealing from the students of the college and the workers," Proost said. "He didn't care at all about them, and now he wants us to care about him?"
Proost said the state supports the 11-year jail term recommendation made by the jury earlier in the case.
"We shouldn't tolerate this type of corruption in our city," Proost said.
McCullin asked Earp if he had anything to add before the verdict. Earp said no.
McCullin then gave the verdict, resulting in five years of probation under the supervision of the Missouri Department of Probation and Parole. He was also given 30 days to reimburse the citizens $189,000 for education and job training.
Outside the courtroom, Nelson said, "I think it is fair that he pays the money back," but he said he did not want to comment further. Edward Boyer, father of Earp's late wife, confronted Nelson, Gaffner and Roedel outside of the courtroom.
"I blame you guys," Boyer said. "You destroyed [Earp's] life… It cost me my daughter."
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