Voters in Missouri House District 99 are not just weighing platforms and promises this summer. One of the Democrats on the August 4 ballot, Nathan Mai‑Lombardo, is also locked in an expensive legal fight with his former employer that is unfolding in the background of the race.
The dispute centers on a set of dueling claims between Mai‑Lombardo and the North County city of Berkeley. He is seeking roughly $43,000 from the city, while Berkeley is asking a judge to award about $171,000 in damages. It is a messy backdrop for a four‑way Democratic primary in a West County district that includes parts of Clayton, Ladue and Olivette.
According to St. Louis Magazine, Mai‑Lombardo worked for Berkeley from September 2022 until January 2025 and says he received two months of severance pay after he was terminated. He sued, arguing that his contract guaranteed six months of pay, or about $43,000. Berkeley responded with a countersuit seeking around $171,000 and asked the court to throw out his claim. The most recent filing in the case states that depositions are being scheduled, with the next hearing currently set for September.
Mai‑Lombardo is now listed as the planning and development manager for the City of Ferguson in the city’s staff directory. His campaign leans heavily on his municipal government experience and touts endorsements from Rep. Ian Mackey and several first‑responder groups on the Nathan for 99 website. The site also underscores the August 4 primary as the key test for control of the West County seat.
What Berkeley's Countersuit Alleges
Berkeley’s countersuit accuses Mai‑Lombardo of failing to file required annual financial reports for 2023 and 2024 on time, asserting that the delays triggered roughly $150,000 in state penalties. The city also claims he authorized the purchase of a Ford Mustang and a Chevrolet Tahoe without obtaining prior approval from the city council.
The filing further alleges that Mai‑Lombardo oversaw the installation of electric‑vehicle chargers without the necessary council sign‑off or insurance coverage, and that he accepted a $7,000 relocation stipend without moving promptly or securing a residency waiver. Mai‑Lombardo has declined to go into detail about the case, saying he has been advised to “not comment on pending litigation.” As outlined by St. Louis Magazine, the city’s total claim comes to approximately $171,000.
Election Context and What Voters Should Know
This is not a typical primary undercard. Because only Democrats filed to run in House District 99, the August 4 contest will effectively determine who represents the district in Jefferson City.
The Missouri Secretary of State’s certified candidate list shows four Democrats on the ballot: Boris Abadzhyan, Sidney Clark, Tori Schafer and Nathan Mai‑Lombardo. No Republican filed. That makes the internal Democratic fight, including questions about management style and fiscal oversight, a central storyline for West County voters weighing their choices this summer.
Legal Implications
Under Missouri law, political subdivisions must file annual financial reports with the state auditor. Section 105.145 of the Missouri Revised Statutes spells out those reporting requirements along with enforcement tools that allow the auditor and other state bodies to address late filings and, in some circumstances, impose penalties. That framework helps explain why Berkeley is focusing so heavily on the missed reports in its countersuit.
The case remains a civil dispute. If Berkeley succeeds in proving its alleged damages, the outcome could carry financial consequences for whichever side loses, with potential reputational fallout for Mai‑Lombardo as his campaign moves through the decisive phase of the primary.
