Steve Roberts (Missouri politician)

Roberts served as a St. Louis assistant circuit attorney when he was arrested for sexual assault in April 2015. Roberts was suspended by the Circuit Attorney’s Office and the Circuit Attorney’s Office launched an independent investigation into Roberts. Jillian S. Anderson, an assistant prosecuting attorney in St. Charles County, served as the outside investigator.[7] Following Anderson's investigation, the office deferred prosecution of Roberts and ended his suspension.

In October of 2015, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce fired Roberts. While Roberts' spokesperson claimed the office did not provide a reason for firing him, Circuit Attorney Joyce stated, “we can say conclusively that his termination was a result of his poor performance. No other factors were involved.”[8]

Joyce also further elaborated that Roberts was “provided written notice of his performance issues and he has met dozens of times with his supervisors who worked diligently to help him succeed at the office. The Circuit Attorney’s Office has been more than fair with Mr. Roberts, including allowing him to return to the office after no charges were filed following his recent arrest.”[9] Roberts maintains he was asked to resign after he began collecting campaign money to run for Circuit Attorney.[10][11]

Roberts defeated three opponents during the 2016 Missouri House of Representatives District 77 Democratic primary and served 2 two-year terms. He ran unopposed in the General Election. Incumbent Roberts then defeated Kimberly-Ann Collins in his second Democratic primary on August 7, 2018, and won the General Election on November 6, 2018.[12] While in the House, he was selected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.

In 2020, Roberts successfully ran for the Missouri Senate’s 5th District.

The April 2015 arrest by St. Louis Metropolitan Police was on suspicion of second degree sodomy toward Saint Louis University student Amy Harms a week prior.[13][14] In April 2017, the accuser's claim of infliction of emotional distress was also dismissed.[15] Roberts settled a civil case arising from the incident for $100,000.[16]

In 2016, incoming State Representative Cora Faith Walker accused Roberts of rape, which Roberts denied and, in response, filed a defamation lawsuit against Walker.[14][15] In 2019, both Roberts and Walker dropped their respective legal actions, with their lawyers saying: "No money was paid in exchange for the dismissal of the parties' claims."[17] The settlement required confidentiality from both parties, a $100,000 fine for each violation, and a statement in Walker's name disputing any claim of assault, which Roberts said the recently deceased Walker violated.[18]

In 2022, allegations against Roberts resurfaced when it was found that content was removed from his Wikipedia page, from a Missouri State Capitol IP address.[19]

Roberts ran for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 1st congressional district, running against incumbent Congresswoman Cori Bush, in which he garnered 26.6% of the vote in the Democratic primary.[20]