Jackson County employees send cease and desist accusing legislator of harassment
Three female employees of the Jackson County government sent Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca IV a cease and desist letter alleging that he created a hostile work environment and threatened to force them out of their jobs, and suggesting they will sue if he doesn’t change his behavior.
The letter, which The Star obtained through an open records request under the Missouri Sunshine Law, was initiated by Parks & Recreation Director Michele Newman, Communications Director Angela Jeffries and Assessor Gail McCann Beatty.
The letter was sent by email to Abarca and Jackson County Counselor Bryan Covinsky by Kansas City attorney Dennis E. Egan, who represents the three employees, on September 2. Such a letter is not legally enforceable in and of itself, but it puts someone on notice of the possibility of future legal action.
The letter alleges that Abarca has been “continually harassing these female leaders based on gender and age” and has made threats against their job security. It also accuses Abarca of “engag[ing] in libel and slander” against the employees, damaging their reputations in the workplace.
“Mr. Abarca has been heard to threaten that, ‘if Frank (White) is voted out,’ then (Newman, Jeffries or Beatty) will be gone next,” the letter reads. “Mr. Abarca has referenced utilizing the pretext of the ‘budgeting process’ for accomplishing such illegal terminations.”
The letter also referenced an internal investigation that County Executive Frank White Jr. initiated into Abarca’s conduct in March 2025, including but not limited to his interactions with the three women.
Newman, Jeffries and Beatty have worked in their current roles for 37, 18 and seven years, respectively, according to social media and county websites.
As of Monday, none of the employees have initiated a formal legal action against Abarca in Jackson County court or any other court. However, the letter suggests the potential of the three women to attempt to hold the county directly accountable for Abarca’s alleged conduct via the Missouri Human Rights Act.
Abarca and Covinsky were not immediately available for comment Monday afternoon. Egan declined to comment on the letter or on any future legal actions that could follow.
Abarca, who has represented Jackson County’s First District in the legislature since 2023, has been an outspoken supporter of the campaign to recall White as county executive.
Earlier this year, Abarca’s ex-wife Alexis Garcia filed charges against him in Jackson County family court and Johnson County criminal court after an alleged domestic altercation on May 29. Charges were also filed against Abarca in Kansas City municipal court in connection with the incident.
According to court documents, Garcia said Abarca threw her to the ground during an argument in Shawnee, leading her to request and receive a restraining order. Garcia also briefly reported the couple’s toddler son missing in the days directly following the alleged altercation.
Abarca pleaded not guilty to battery and has denied Garcia’s accusations in multiple venues. Garcia filed for divorce in June.
This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM.
