Ray County Prosecuting Attorney Camille Johnston has formally denied allegations that she engaged in misconduct and conflicts of interest warranting her removal from office, while arguing the attorney general’s petition fails to establish legal grounds for removing her from the elected position.

Johnston filed the Answer after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway petitioned the court to remove her from office through a quo warranto action filed July 16, alleging misconduct, conflicts of interest and neglect of official duties. A preliminary order entered the same day the petition was filed temporarily barred Johnston from exercising the duties of prosecuting attorney while the case remains pending.

Johnston has also filed a separate motion seeking to prohibit attorneys involved in the litigation from making public statements outside judicial proceedings while the case is pending. In her Answer, Johnston denies the allegations outlined in the petition and asks the court to deny the…