JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri's newest state senator has been sworn into office.
Democrat Joe Keaveny of St. Louis took office Wednesday after winning a special election earlier this month. Keaveny replaces Democrat Jeff Smith, who was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison on Tuesday.
Smith pleaded guilty to federal charges of lying to federal investigators about a campaign flier from his 2004 congressional campaign. He resigned from office in August on the same day he pleaded guilty.
Keaveny is 53 years old and has worked in the banking industry. He was sworn in Wednesday by Supreme Court Judge Michael Wolff. Keaveny's term expires after 2010.