A Missouri father and civil defense litigator filed a federal lawsuit this week alleging racketeering, civil rights violations, and systemic corruption within the St. Louis County Family Court.
The plaintiff claims he has spent more than $100,000 on his case.
“You have to disclose your financials in every child support case so they get to see exactly what you're worth,” Grant told NTD. “Everyone should be cautious and consider whether or not they really need to go to the St. Louis Family Court for assistance."
The complaint was filed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and the Civil Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 1983) and cites evidence such as recorded conversations, court transcripts, and internal communications.
“I am utterly shocked and personally offended,” he said. “I'm a lawyer and I couldn't even get justice.”
The lawsuit names the St. Louis County Family Court as well as 21st Circuit judicial officers Bruce Hilton and Commissioner Mary Greaves as defendants.
Neither Hilton nor Greaves responded to requests for comment.
The 21st Judicial Circuit communications director John O'Sullivan said that judges speak through their court orders and are bound by the Missouri Supreme Court judicial code of conduct.
“That rule states that a judge shall not make any public statement that might reasonably be expected to affect the outcome or impair the fairness of a matter pending or impending in any court,” O'Sullivan told NTD in an email.
The 21st Judicial Circuit is also known as the St. Louis County Court.
The complaint further outlines alleged political connections between defendants and the judicial nominating process, asserting that these ties have shielded participants from accountability.
“I am a federal court practitioner so my complaint should survive motion to dismiss challenges,” Grant added. “The federal court can intervene and compel the state of Missouri to provide due process within the St. Louis County Family Court."
Brodie did not respond to requests for comment while OCDC Chief Disciplinary Counsel Laura Elsbury responded but declined to comment.
“Thank you for your inquiry, but we do not have any comment regarding this matter,” Elsbury told NTD in an email.
Other defendants named in the lawsuit who did not respond to requests for comment include Attorneys John Fenley, Lawrence Gillespie, Mathew Eilerts, and Con Curran Coulter.
The Missouri Bar Association responded but declined to comment.
"The Missouri Bar is separate and distinct from the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel and therefore can’t speak to this matter," Missouri Bar Association communications director Hannah Kiddoo Frevert told NTD in an email.