The attorney representing Hannah Dunakey, who was removed as Warren County's interim prosecuting attorney, stated that the judge's decision to oust her was “illegal” and they intend to …
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The attorney representing Hannah Dunakey, who was removed as Warren County's interim prosecuting attorney, stated that the judge's decision to oust her was “illegal” and they intend to challenge the process.
Dunakey was removed from office in a court order filed Feb. 6 by Circuit Judge Richard Scheibe over a conflict of interest involving more than 200 cases involving Warren County sheriff’s deputy Jason Maskey who she was having an affair with.
The affair between Dunakey and Maskey became public in December 2024 as Dunakey acknowledged she had a conflict of interest in letters sent to then-Presiding Judge Jason Lamb and Sheriff Kevin Harrison.
When the affair became public in December, Dunakey wrote a letter dated Dec. 16 to Lamb acknowledging a potential personal conflict between her and Maskey and asking for a special prosecutor to be appointed in cases where Maskey was considered an “essential witness.”
The statement issued by Dunakey's lawyer, Sara Marler, to The Record said, “Since she was appointed as Interim Prosecuting Attorney for Warren County in April of 2024, and in her role as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney since 2023, Ms. Dunakey has diligently served the people of Warren County. Under her leadership, the county has conducted six jury trials, including one for first-degree murder, with successful guilty verdicts in all but one where the jury was hung.
“Judge Scheibe’s allegations, which Ms. Dunakey adamantly denies, are misleading, and his action in removing her without due process is illegal. The way this matter has been handled has created an unnecessary spectacle for Warren County. We have filed an action with the Court of Appeals on behalf of Ms. Dunakey.”
Dunakey was appointed interim prosecuting attorney March 2024 by Jason Lamb.
Warren County Sheriff Kevin Harrison confirmed Maskey resigned as deputy from the department. Maskey is currently employed with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Dunakey and Maskey were engaged in a months-long affair while both were married, according to the court order. Dunakey participated in night-time ride-alongs with Maskey and observed his work, Scheibe wrote.
Maskey also omitted Dunakey’s presence as a witness in the reports he filed and Dunakey omitted her presence as a witness in disclosures made by the state to the defense, according to the court filing.
The Missouri Supreme Court prohibits a lawyer from handling any case where the lawyer is a witness.
Prior to the relationship becoming public, Dunakey did nothing to mitigate or address the conflict. Instead, she moved the bulk of Maskey’s cases to a so-called “rocket-docket” with an out-of-circuit judge. At that docket, defendants were allowed to resolve their cases without conviction and receive two-year terms of probation regardless of their criminal histories or the facts of the case, Scheibe’s order stated.
