Alfred Montgomery arrives to his campaign headquarters with food for his staff and children on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in 最新杏吧原创. Montgomery narrowly defeated 最新杏吧原创 Sheriff Vernon Betts during Tuesday鈥檚 Democratic primary.
ST. LOUIS 鈥 The city鈥檚 new sheriff is suing to get the city鈥檚 old sheriff out of the court building, stop him from removing office records and force him to provide access to sheriff security systems.
Alfred Montgomery, a former deputy who unseated 最新杏吧原创 Sheriff Vernon Betts in a contentious Democratic primary, filed for the restraining order Tuesday afternoon.
On Wednesday, Montgomery said he was too busy to discuss the filing because he was getting ready for the an event he appeared to be hosting himself Wednesday night.
His suit accused Betts of delaying the transfer of power by removing documents and filing cabinets from the Carnahan courts building in downtown 最新杏吧原创, not providing credentials for the property room鈥檚 security system, and disorderly conduct that threatened the security of the courts building.
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The filing included three reports from deputies, all signed on Tuesday, and a narrative describing Betts and a captain removing documents and filing cabinets from the building.
Betts denied all of Montgomery鈥檚 latest accusations. He told the Post-Dispatch that Tuesday was his last day as sheriff, and he was already out of the offices. He also said Montgomery has not asked him directly for information on security credentials.
最新杏吧原创 Sheriff Vernon Betts listens as newly sworn in 最新杏吧原创 Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore addresses family, friends and supporters in a 最新杏吧原创 courtroom after he took the oath of office during a brief ceremony on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
鈥淗e鈥檚 not in touch with reality,鈥 Betts said of Montgomery.
The filing marks the latest dust-up between the two political opponents over an office in charge of transporting prisoners from jail to and from court, providing courthouse security and serving legal papers, including eviction notices and protection orders.
Throughout the campaign, the two men blasted each other as being unprofessional. Montgomery accused Betts of squandering millions in taxpayer money. Betts called him a 鈥渓ying sack.鈥
Betts said that Montgomery has been in and out of the courts building for months.
鈥淲hen I won the election eight years ago in November, I didn鈥檛 show up to that building until January,鈥 he said.
A hearing on the motion was scheduled for noon Thursday.
鈥淚鈥檓 gone,鈥 Betts said. 鈥淚鈥檓 done.鈥
