Just when you think the lawlessness and corruption in our justice system can’t get any worse.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway has filed a petition for a writ of quo warranto to remove Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston from office after explosive revelations of repeated intimate and romantic relationships with criminal defense counsel and defendants including an illegal alien being prosecuted for sexual assault in her own jurisdiction.
According to the petition, Johnston allegedly engaged in undisclosed romantic relationships with individuals whose criminal cases intersected with the Ray County Prosecutor’s Office, including a defense attorney who represented criminal defendants in cases prosecuted by her office.
The Attorney General alleges Johnston failed to recuse herself or seek the appointment of a special prosecutor despite what the filing describes as obvious conflicts of interest.
The petition further alleges Johnston maintained another romantic relationship with an individual charged with domestic violence and retaliated against a staff member who became aware of the relationship. The filing claims Johnston failed to disclose the alleged conflict to victims, court personnel, or her office until a judge ultimately disqualified her from the case.
Among the most serious allegations is the Attorney General’s claim that Johnston had a prior intimate relationship with a man identified in the petition as J.G., who was allegedly under investigation for felony sexual offenses.
The filing alleges Johnston knew of the investigation, failed to recuse herself, withheld information regarding his whereabouts, assisted him after he left Ray County, and later vacationed with him.
The petition also states the individual was allegedly in the United States illegally and was later arrested in Ohio, where he remains awaiting trial on felony charges. These are allegations contained in the Attorney General’s filing and have not been adjudicated by a court.
The Attorney General also alleges Johnston created a hostile work environment by intimidating and berating employees, fostering what the petition describes as an atmosphere of fear within the prosecutor’s office.
Based on these allegations, the petition argues Johnston may have violated Missouri statutes relating to public corruption and hindering prosecution and contends that her conduct constitutes willful neglect of official duty requiring removal from office.
A judge has already approved a preliminary order immediately removing Johnston pending the full outcome of the case.
BREAKING: A prosecutor has repeatedly engaged in intimate relations with defense counsel and defendants, including an illegal immigrant who was under investigation for felony sex offenses – and then she berated and fired her staff when they found out about it.
This will not be… pic.twitter.com/WZkWtoPsgK
— Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway (@AGCHanaway) July 17, 2026
According to the press release:
“When an elected official treats public office like their personal playground, betraying the public trust, ignoring legal obligations, and putting self-interest first, removal isn’t a suggestion, it’s a necessity,” said Attorney General Hanaway. “Johnston’s record reflects a sustained pattern of misconduct and willful neglect that has undermined the integrity of the prosecutor’s office and poses a serious threat to public safety. In Missouri, public office is public trust, not a personal entitlement, and no one is above accountability.”
This action is being taken to protect the citizens of Ray County and to restore integrity to an office that has been compromised. The petition asserts that Johnston knowingly and willfully failed to do her duties as a prosecutor, after she:
- Knowingly created an atmosphere within the Ray County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office of fear and intimidation by verbally berating her staff and employees;
- Engaged in an intimate and romantic relationship with a criminal defense attorney representing numerous criminal defendants in matters prosecuted by Johnston;
- Engaged in an intimate and romantic relationship with a prospective defendant and terminated an employee after the employee discovered the relationship;
- Engaged in an intimate and romantic relationship with an undocumented immigrant who was being prosecuted for sexual assault in Ray County and provided title to her vehicle to that defendant to assist him in absconding; and
- In each of these situations, recognized the impropriety of the relationship but continued the conduct;
Under Missouri law, the Attorney General is authorized to file a petition for a writ of quo warranto to remove an official who has unlawfully held office or forfeited it through willful neglect, abuse of duty, or misconduct. Today’s petition affirms Attorney General Hanaway’s commitment to rooting out government corruption and upholding the rule of law in Missouri.
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