ST. LOUIS — The region's new U.S. Attorney on Wednesday moved to drop a criminal case against two local developers and their accountant charged with lying about using minority contractors to obtain city property tax breaks.

In his motion, U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus wrote the minority business program that Sid Chakraverty, his brother, Vic Alston, and their accountant, Shijing "Poppy" Cao, are accused of violating has been paused by the city of St. Louis and deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The three defendants previously had agreed to pay the city back for the tax breaks they received.

"Accordingly, it is prudent for the government to end this criminal prosecution," Albus wrote.

Albus' motion came shortly after Chakraverty hired U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi

See Full Page