ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley breaks his silence on a long list of criticisms surrounding the hiring of Mike Temporiti, the son of Dooley’s campaign manager John Temporiti.

“Mike Temporiti was hired for his own ability” Dooley told KMOX News.  Dooley acknowledges that Mike worked on the campaign that his father directed, but insists the connection goes no farther. “I had an opportunity to watch him work and see his work ethic and during that time he indicated at some point in his career he’d like to work in county government. We talked about it, but that was it.” said Dooley. 

Dooley made no apologies saying Mike Temporiti has the legal expertise to deal with tax abatement obligations.

“The compliance officer, I thought was needed for St. Louis County.” said Dooley.

Concerning the hiring of Temporiti during a hiring freeze he said “hiring freeze may be the wrong use of words”  because the county has really just imposed a restriction on the number of employees, so if anyone quits or resigns, they can be replaced.

Mike Temporiti got a $70,000 a year job in the county Revenue Department.  Dooley says he has the legal qualifications to deal with tax abatement issues.   The County Executive also defended not posting the job.

“That is not a civil service job , it is a job whereas the county executive has the opportunity to appoint this individual…and so I did that.” said Dooley.

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