Stenger is most culpable, they said, and cooked up the scheme. Sweeney should have resisted his demands to reward donors, but Stenger was “a powerful and intimidating force” who threatened retribution against those who did not go along with his wishes, they wrote.

Sweeney’s attorney, Justin Gelfand, said he had gotten to know her in recent months and said there was “not a chance in the world” Sweeney would re-offend, calling her a “wonderful person who made a terrible mistake.”

Sweeney, in a statement punctuated by tears, said she is a lifelong St. Louisan who wanted to improve the region and was excited to serve as CEO of the Partnership.

“I believe I did some good work for our region,” she said.

She said she made a “horrible mistake in judgment” but that she would “learn from it” and focus her energy on “improving my community.”

“I will do everything I can to make this right,” she said.