Kansas City Talker Hartzell Gray Launches Lawsuit Against Mayor Q

This evening we notice that another local media dude on a career downward spiral is looking for a payout. 

Anything can happen in a Jackson County courtroom but the reality is that this lawsuit signals that Hartzell won't ever work for another mainstream media outlet again following his foray into local activism. 

And so we ask . . .

IS MAYOR Q CULPABLE FOR HARTZELL GRAY LOSING HIS KCUR GIG?!?

 Fact is . . .

We've documented Hartzell's downward trajectory for a minute . . .

He lost his sweet Sporting KC gig likely because he was so outspoken against stadium taxes and didn't RESPECT the connection between owners or his own hypocrisy. 

And even his old school radio buddies stopped backing him up when he repeatedly lashed out over international politics and repeated quite a few talking points that have been challenged as antisemitic. 

It's too bad because Hartzell is a very talented talker who was one of this town's most beloved "rising star" media personalities at one point.

A teachable moment for local media pros: It was actually Hartzell's delve into radical, political activism that precipitated his career decline.

And now . . .

He's stuck in a lawsuit battle that doesn't seem to improve his chances of winning back popularity.

Here's a roundup . . . 

"The suit, filed by Hartzell Gray on Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court, is a First Amendment retaliation claim that names the City Of Kansas City and Lucas’ former chief of staff, Morgan Said, as defendants.

"The city, Gray claims, “attempted to force KCUR to terminate (him), worked to destroy his reputation, and caused various other harms that further serve to chill his First Amendment activities.” Gray was a KCUR radio host in 2022. He was also publicly involved in the renters-rights group KC Tenants, speaking regularly at its rallies and protests."

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

KC Star: KC radio host says mayor and aide tried to get him fired, offered quid pro quo

Fox4: KCMO journalist sues city and mayor's former chief of staff for retaliating against him, lawsuit claims

Developing . . .