Travel Cash Scandal Confronts Kansas City Mayor Q

Today, news about sketchy favor trading emerges against 12th & Oak.

Many TKC readers think this might be the beginning of the end for Mayor Q . . . We're not sure it's THAT big of a deal but it certainly isn't a good look. 

Context . . . Local campaign finance stories seem like a big deal to policy nerds like TKC but rarely result in any kind of long term damage to politicos. In fact, elected officials are so brazen about this stuff that they'll enjoy literal gold bars and attempt to justify it.

The bigger picture . . .

Mayor Q banked on getting out of town with the Veep and now it seems that goodwill for the politico is quickly evaporating. 

Here's the basics and more info . . .

"It cost $23,518 for Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, a top aide and two police officers on his security detail to attend the Super Bowl in Phoenix last year.

"The day after the game, the cost was covered by a $24,000 check from the Heavy Constructors Association, a politically connected trade group.

"Neither the price of the trip nor the donation were ever made public."

Actually . . .

For those reading closely, the price-tag isn't the most interesting thing about this travel story . . . 

"The mayor and his now-former chief of staff, Morgan Said, ran the spending and donation through the Mayors Corps of Progress for a Greater Kansas City Inc., a nonprofit established 50 years ago to help attract economic development to the city that is not required to disclose its financials.

"Receipts, emails and other documents show that over the course of Lucas’ first term in office, the Mayors Corps spent more than $35,000 on Kansas City Chiefs tickets, hotel stays, flights and dinners.

"While expenses filed by Said often represented costs incurred by both her and Lucas, they were primarily in her name. "

Of course we should probably quote the Mayor's defense . . . 

Lucas defended the spending, saying the Mayors Corps allows him to promote the city at conferences and sporting events and on international trips.

“I see nothing inconsistent with that, and it’s really not even my opinion,” said Lucas, a Democrat and attorney who was elected mayor in 2019. “It’s the opinion of our counsel.”

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

Kansas City mayor accused of skirting city gift ban by using nonprofit to pay for travel

The nonprofit was used by Mayor Quinton Lucas' predecessor primarily to bring speakers to Kansas City to talk about economic development. Lucas and his former chief of staff use it for Chiefs tickets, hotel stays, flights and dinners.

Kansas City mayor accused of skirting city gift ban by using nonprofit to pay for travel * Missouri Independent

Mayor Quinton Lucas and Morgan Said used a nonprofit to fund thousands of dollars in Kansas City Chiefs tickets and travel.