After reports of the court action, here's the official word from the Courthouse . . . TKC highlighted the direct quote:
Jackson County Executive issues statement in response to lawsuit filed by Legislature
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement in response to the Legislature’s filing of a lawsuit regarding COMBAT.
“I was elected to this office to do what is right. And as County Executive, that has and always will be the basis for any decision I make. I am committed to working with everyone to move Jackson County forward, however, I am not willing to violate the charter or law to do so. Any action taken by me and my administration has been in accordance with the legal advice of the County Counselor’s Office and the legal opinion the County received from outside counsel.
Despite numerous warnings, the Legislature has continued to ignore the significant legal issues surrounding the oversight of COMBAT, which has led to uncertainty and confusion among staff and the community. Therefore, it is important we have a resolution to this issue as quickly as possible, but it must be done appropriately. I am dedicated to working with everyone in the meantime to ensure that COMBAT continues to be a cause for good in our community.”
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Developing . . .
He's got a point.
ReplyDeleteThere is a chance that he could win in court. It's never a sure thing.
^^^ The judge could be a Royals fan?
DeleteSo. The legislature sues the executive...lawyers paid with tax dollars. The executive defends the suit...lawyers paid with tax dollars. I see who is truly winning in this situation.
ReplyDelete6:33, exactly, and, this time i truly hope Frank wins. While he has had some missteps the legislature and in particular Tarwater are acting like a bunch of arrogant congress people who can't get along.
ReplyDeleteSo, this time I hope it's Frank and then the voters should vote out every incumbent on the legislature and Peters-Baker, she's complicit as well
Why? Did you read the documents and exhibits? Sure appears that Frank has been playing fast and loose with COMBAT funds, paying his staff, buying cars, giving gas allowances (wtf?), then threatening employees who object. Frank is in over his head, has chosen to listen to the wrong people and there is no end-game. If he refuses to work with the Legislature, how does he plan on governing?
ReplyDeleteI got a feeling Frank White is going to be spending a lot of time in court this year and not just on this COMBAT thing. I just hope we taxpayers don't get stuck footing the legal bill when he gets charged with perjury.
ReplyDeleteWhen he first filed as a candidate, he signed an affidavit stating he didn't owe any back taxes. He lied or somehow didn't know he owed the IRS, state and county. The fact he owed state and county taxes should have disqualified him from even being on the ballot.
If you've ever owed on your taxes, you know it. You get more than few notices.
"Missteps" appears to be Team Frank's choice word to describe his constant corruption and incompetence... all of Frank's Fuck-uppery.
ReplyDelete@ 6:33 It seems everyone is getting along just fine, except Frank. The Legislature is voting mostly 9-0 against him. The prosecutor, Jean Peters Baker, and Sheriff Mike Sharp both have legitimate complaints against him over his dragging his feet to deal with the jail. Hell, Frank even tried to have Sharp removed from office.
ReplyDeleteWhat it comes down to is Frank is in way over his head, but rather than try and work with others and try to learn how to govern, he is all bravado and bullshit. He barks and snarls. He picks fights.
Remember he was a Royals legend and then couldn’t just get along with the Royals to keep his sweet $300,000 a year gig with them. His losing that job has costed Jackson County dearly because if he hadn't lost his cool with the Royals and was still on their payroll, he wouldn’t have needed this county exec job and the six-figure salary that goes with it.
7:48 Add misappropriation of funds to the legal docket against Frank.
ReplyDeleteEven if he maintains control over COMBAT, he isn't free to use COMBAT funds however he pleases. Like using this money earmarked specifically for anti-drug and anti-violence to pay his chief of staff and PR team.
The damage has been done. Frank White has made it painfully obvious COMBAT is just a slush fund, and he's going to fight hard to keep his hands in the slush. He bought his little Caleb Joe a pick-up truck with COMBAT funds, and now he wants to keep Caleb & The Crew on the county payroll with COMBAT funds.
ReplyDeleteCan we get a petition circulated to repeal the COMBAT tax? Killing COMBAT would be Franks' legacy as county executive.
^^^ Even if COMBAT stays under the county executive on the org. chart, doesn't the executive still have to get the legislature's approval on how COMBAT funds are disbursed?
ReplyDeleteFrank White used his celebrity to get elected. His incompetency ought to be enough to get him voted out. But, ultimately, I think his corruption is going to get him booted out of office long before the next election.
ReplyDelete6:33 Would you prefer the Legislators, Prosecutor and Sheriff all turned a blind eye to Frank buying Caleb Clifford a truck with COMBAT funds, Frank neglecting to do a damn thing about the mess in the jail, Frank misappropriating funds left and right? I'd rather see a strong check and balance put on his continual misuse of power.
ReplyDeleteFrank White paid with our tax dollars (and without legislative approval) a private law firm to tell him what he wanted to hear. The county counselor is also going to tell Frank what he wants to hear because Frank has the power to fire him at any time.
ReplyDeleteThe county counselor should be fired. Him and his "staff" do nothing
ReplyDeletebut cost more money.