The developments roiled county government on Monday, although a federal investigation had been rumored for months. The County Council had called for a federal investigation into the county’s lease for office space at the former Northwest Plaza in St. Ann, whose owners were Stenger’s largest campaign donors.

Two members of the council said last July they had sources who said federal agents had been following Partnership CEO Sheila Sweeney. The Partnership forced Sweeney out of her $500,000 post in January after the Post-Dispatch documented the low staff morale and high turnover, the agency’s procurement practices and the awarding of contracts to campaign donors of Stenger, who several former employees say essentially ran the office through Sweeney.

Meanwhile, the County Council, which had scheduled to be out of the office for spring break, was considering an emergency meeting for later in the week.

Council Chairman Sam Page said in a text: “I hope Stenger means what he says. But, if past is prologue, I have my doubts. The Council will hold him accountable.”