Jackson County Palace Intrigue Forever?!?

Two things we want to share for context regarding recent local, legal power moves . .  . 

Let's start with context from our politico friends and something genius sent our way . . .

The term "palace intrigue" denotes the covert, Machiavellian power struggles that occur within the inner sanctum of an administration or corporate executive suite. It characterizes a political ecosystem where unelected advisors and high-ranking officials utilize backchannel maneuvering, strategic leaks, and shifting alliances to subvert rivals and expand their own institutional influence. While historically rooted in royal courts, the phrase remains a vital analytical tool for describing the high-stakes, behind-the-scenes factionalism that quietly shapes modern governance and enterprise.

Basically, cowtown "palace intrigue" is standard operating procedure and the plotline for better streaming series tv viewing that doesn't involve folksy soccer wisdom AND why so many people would rather NOT do biz with any elected official at the courthouse. Also, it's a great argument for moving to the suburbs or a nearby rural area. 

And then . . . 

We wish politicos were more literate and understood history a bit more . . . If ever indicted, TKC will try to remember this fun fact and historic tidbit whilst weeping . . .   

New York Court of Appeals Chief Judge Sol Wachtler famously declared, “Any good prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich.”

Wachtler’s point was that when a prosecutor asks for an indictment, the grand jury nearly always complies.  Judge Wachtler used the phrase while criticizing the grand jury system and arguing it needed reform. Author Tom Wolfe also helped cement the phrase in the public lexicon by using it in his 1987 novel The Bonfire of the Vanities.

And all this begs the question to readers . . . 

HOW DID YOU THINK THE LEVOTA INDICTMENT WILL PLAY OUT?!?

As always, we're hopeful for more transparency, good government along with signing and unicorns frolicking at the courthouse . . . But it's fair to say we have our doubts about the future.  

For now . . .

We'll contend a simple truism . . .

LEVOTA THROWING DERON UNDER THE BUS MIGHT BE EVERY BIT AS DAMAGING AS HIS OWN INDICTMENT!!!

 More the to the point . .  . 

We're guessing that so many local politicos, developers and community leaders don't want to "play their greatest hits" for the feds by way of hidden wires. 

And so, here's another quote on the topic and more reporting . . .

"As Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota faces federal bribery charges, he’s thrown another official’s name into the mix, claiming that Jackson County Legislator DaRon McGee is the subject of the alleged plot to interfere with the 2026 county executive race. 

"LeVota is charged with allegedly offering someone a county job if they withdrew from the race. A federal grand jury indicted LeVota, 61, on five charges including including honest services fraud, federal program bribery, two counts of Travel Act violations and making false statements to federal investigators."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Phil LeVota accuses lawmaker in Jackson County bribery scheme. Who is DaRon McGee?

While denying federal charges of bribery, interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota named DaRon McGee as the official he's accused of bribing.

Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota pleads not guilty to federal charges

Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota is facing a multi-count federal indictment for an alleged bribery scheme in connection with the 2026 election of the Jackson County executive. https://fox4kc.com/news/phil-levota-facing-federal-indictment-for-bribery-in-2026-jackson-county-executive-election/

Developing . . .