JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (CN) - Dent County prosecutor Jessica Sparks resigned amid pressure from Attorney General Chris Koster to remove her from office. Koster filed six accusations claiming Sparks failed to fulfill her duties, two accusations that she misused her office by accusing police of misconduct and one of being involved in a domestic disturbance.
Koster claimed Sparks came to court unprepared and refused to file or prosecute 253 felony cases because of a budget dispute with Dent County Commissioners.
Dent County is 125 miles southwest of St. Louis.
Koster's office issued this statement after Sparks' resignation: "The Prosecutor of Dent County, Jessica Sparks, resigned today, effective immediately. The Attorney General's Office will provide prosecutorial services, as needed, to the citizens of Dent County until the governor names a replacement."
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