Judge orders Kansas Democratic Party chair to pay money owed to former campaign manager
A Johnson County judge on Tuesday ordered Kansas Democratic Party chair Jeanna Repass to pay $3,226 to her former campaign manager, who sued in February alleging $4,000 in unpaid wages.
The former campaign manager, Nicole Aghaaliandastjerdi, sued in Johnson County Small Claims Court in February against Repass and her 2022 Kansas secretary of state campaign. Aghaaliandastjerdi filed her lawsuit the same day Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and other top Democrats issued an endorsement of Repass to lead their party.
At the end of a Tuesday trial, Judge Robert Scott issued a judgment that Repass must pay most — but not all — that had been sought by Aghaaliandastjerdi. The court record describing the judgment doesn’t provide any reasons for Scott’s decision.
Aghaaliandastjerdi had alleged in her lawsuit that she agreed in writing not to cash her final paycheck until September. When she went to cash the check, the lawsuit alleged, Repass had canceled payment. Repass had disputed Aghaaliandastjerdi’s claims.
“Ms. Repass canceled my last paycheck and thought she could get away with it and no one would ever know. She underestimated a regular person advocating for themself, whose only resource was the truth,” Aghaaliandastjerdi said in a statement. “I’m grateful the judge saw beyond her persona and lofty speeches and ruled according to the law. Today, regular, hardworking people won.”
Repass said she will pay the amount and has no plans to appeal.
Repass disputed Aghaaliandastjerdi’s contention that her last paycheck had been canceled, but said the campaign’s bank account information had to be changed after Aghaaliandastjerdi departed. Repass said the situation could have been avoided if Aghaaliandastjerdi had sent an invoice to the campaign.
“I am pleased that the judge did not rule in favor of Nicole for $4,000, that he agreed that’s not what we owed her, which was my contention all along. And I’m happy to pay the settlement and move forward,” Repass said.
The lawsuit was filed amid a contentious fight to lead the Kansas Democratic Party. Repass’ opponent was Lynn Rogers, a former state treasurer and Kelly’s first lieutenant governor. The contest was intense, with supporters of the two candidates trading attacks and allegations over social media.
In late February, Democrats elected Repass their new chair in a 122-107 vote.
The Star’s Katie Bernard contributed reporting
