When Bergen did not answer a call from Lisa Blackwell, who was administering the drug tests, Bergen spent a year in jail. When she was released, Bergen was given a $15,900 bill.

Messenger’s writing shook the halls of power in Jefferson City.

In February, the state Supreme Court heard challenges to board bills from two men Messenger had profiled.

In one case, George Richey, of Appleton City, Mo., in St. Clair County, was jailed over a $3,150 board bill stemming from his 90-day stay in the county jail. He originally had been jailed after a misdemeanor conviction of violating a protective order.

Richey received an additional $2,275 bill after serving more time in jail.

In the second case, John Wright, of Higginsville, Mo., was charged $1,360 for his 90-day stay in the Lafayette County Jail. He had pleaded guilty to stealing and resisting arrest, according to court documents.

Wright was ordered to attend monthly status hearings and has not served time for failure to pay.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in March that lower courts were wrong to require defendants to return to court every month for hearings.