Reality Check dispatch: KC refuses to pay firefighter who killed 3 in crash
Editor’s note: The following is from today’s Reality Check newsletter, published weekly on Wednesdays. You can sign up here.
Hello, Star readers, and happy Wednesday.
We’re back with another update about Reality Check.
A few years ago, a firefighter flew through a red light in a busy Westport intersection at dangerously high speeds and hit three cars, a pedestrian and a building — ultimately killing three people.
Beyond costing three people their lives, the crash cost Kansas City more than $3 million.
This week, it almost cost the city nearly $1 million more — to pay off Dominic Biscari, the firefighter who drove the massive pumper truck that day, and who later pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
But instead of signing off on a $915,000 settlement that would have ended a yearslong legal battle, which devolved from the firefighters union trying to block Biscari’s firing, the City Council said no.
Mike Hendricks has more on the city’s refusal to pay.
Also! I have an ongoing housekeeping note: We’re working on sending this newsletter out specifically to Reality Check fans who opt in. If you enjoy these weekly dispatches, make sure you’re subscribed to our dedicated Reality Check list.
If you have a question about your local government or a tip about what we should look into, please email realitycheck@kcstar.com.
Elsewhere around the metro:
✅ Missouri is weighing a big incentive package for new Royals or Chiefs stadiums, but experts say such stadiums don’t bring as much of a payoff as some politicians say.
✅ A month before a western Johnson County city told residents in a 200-unit apartment complex that they had 48 hours to pack their bags and get out, the city had already kicked out other residents, who were asked to waive their rights in the process.
✅ Kansas City is set to pay 50% more than originally planned to settle a whistleblower lawsuit that was partially responsible for costing the former city manager his job. Here’s why.
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