ELSBERRY – The Lincoln County Prosecutor’s Office is looking into reports regarding an Elsberry alderman who may not be qualified to serve a third term.

Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood confirmed to the Lincoln County Journal his office is aware of the situation and is investigating whether Danielle Rockwell is able to continue to serve a third term as Elsberry alderman.

Voters elected Rockwell in a contested election April 8 to serve a third, two-year term on the Elsberry board. However, the Lincoln County Journal reported last week Rockwell had failed to pay her 2024 personal property taxes and a portion of her 2023 bill until after she was elected.

Missouri state law prohibits a candidate from being elected who owes state taxes.

A spokesman with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office confirmed payment after the election does not qualify a candidate to serve, but that it would be up to the local prosecutor or the attorney general’s office to enforce that regulation after the election.

Elsberry’s Board of Aldermen met in regular session (see accompanying story) Tuesday night, but Rockwell did not attend. Her eligibility to serve also was not addressed publicly, however, the board did adjourn into executive closed session, partially to discuss “legal actions …or privileged communications with its attorneys.”

When contacted Wednesday morning by The Journal, Elsberry Mayor Steve Wilch declined to comment on the discussions, citing a 72-hour embargo placed by state law regarding closed sessions.

He did indicate though there were no votes taken as a result of the closed session.

The Lincoln County Journal’s investigation into qualified candidates discovered seven officials elected April 8 paid their taxes late, jeopardizing their eligibility to serve. All but Rockwell though managed to pay by the election.

In addition to Lincoln County, the Journal has expanded its investigation to include a handful of other Missouri counties, and so far, has identified four other elected candidates unqualified to serve due to back taxes, as per state law.