Missouri attorney general files petition to remove Cape Girardeau County coroner
CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – The Missouri attorney general filed a petition to remove the Cape Girardeau County coroner from office.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed criminal charges against Wavis Jordan, alleging that he committed one count of misdemeanor stealing and three counts of providing false information to vital records when he stole cash from a dead person and lied on multiple death certificates.
“As Attorney General, I will always work to hold accountable those who refuse to do their job as required by Missouri statute,” said Attorney General Bailey. “My heart goes out to the victims in this case, whose lives have been upended. To that end, I am moving for the immediate removal of the Cape Girardeau Coroner.”
A quo warranto is a legal action requiring a person to show by what warrant an office is held.
The quo warranto asserts that Jordan failed to do his duty when he:
- stole property and attempted to steal property he was obligated to safeguard.
- knowingly entered the wrong cause of death for decedent C.K.
- knowingly entered the wrong cause of death for decedent G.S.
- knowingly entered the wrong cause of death for decedent D.T.
- failed to properly investigate the causes and manners of death of several individuals and failed to take the necessary steps to be prepared to investigate causes and manners of death.
- failed to obtain blood from decedents M.H. and D.L. who each died in separate motor vehicle accidents.
- solicited family members regarding the funeral arrangements of A.Z., a deceased person.
The petition asks the court to remove Jordan from office immediately.
Attorney General Bailey criminally charged Coroner Jordan with:
- stealing without consent, Class D misdemeanor;
- providing false information to vital records, Class E felony;
- providing false information to vital records, Class E felony;
- providing false information to vital records, Class E felony.
If convicted, Jordan faces up to 12 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Tap here to read the felony complaint.
Tap here to read the probable cause statement.
The Cape Girardeau County Commission released a statement:
The Cape Girardeau County Commission is aware of the quo warranto to remove the Cape Girardeau County Coroner from Office file by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, and the additional criminal charges.
The Cape Girardeau County Commission will actively monitor the legal proceedings. The Commission will act accordingly upon any judicial directives that are issued by the courts.
It is essential to allow the legal proceedings to unfold independently and impartially.
Related story:
Cape Girardeau County Commissioners meet to discuss the County Coroner’s position
