Attorney General Hanaway Secures $104,000 in Restitution in St. Louis Pet Health Not-For-Profit Fraud Case

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that Constance K. Kruse pled guilty to defrauding Missouri animal lovers by stealing charitable donations intended for pets in medical need and diverting those funds for personal expenses.

“Stealing from a charity that exists to comfort sick and vulnerable animals is a betrayal of public trust and of every donor who gave from the heart,” said General Hanaway. “My office will not tolerate charity fraud, and we will hold wrongdoers accountable. This case is one of many examples of the great work that our Consumer Protection Section does every single day.”

According to the investigation, while Kruse was president of Saving St. Louis Pets and actively soliciting funds for pets allegedly associated with this local charity, she used $104,482.02 of these donations for her own personal living expenses, including trips, makeup, designer sunglasses, and Louis Vuitton purses. Kruse continued exploiting the charity’s good name for her own gain even when the legitimate not-for-profit was dissolved in December 2023.

Kruse was indicted February 4, 2025, on the charge of Deceptive Business Practices after she utilized charitable donations for her own needs. She was arrested nearly a year later, in New Mexico. In January 2026, Kruse cooperated with extradition back to Missouri. On September 18, 2026, Kruse pled guilty to one count of Deceptive Business Practice for defrauding consumers and financially exploiting Saving St. Louis Pets.

Upon her guilty plea, Kruse was convicted and sentenced to four years’ incarceration. However, execution of the sentence is stayed, conditioned on five years of reporting supervision and full payment of $104,482.02 in restitution.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Mary Albert-Fritz and D. Scott Lucy.