Kansas City settles undisclosed ‘dispute’ with former City Manager Brian Platt
Kansas City has reached a settlement agreement with embattled former City Manager Brian Platt, appearing to close the door on Platt’s relationship with the city after his fraught exit as its top executive.
But details of the settlement are sparse. City officials, in statements to The Star on Friday, released no details about the cost of the agreement nor any information about the genesis of the settlement itself.
“Mayor Lucas, the City Council, and City Manager Mario Vasquez remain focused on the important work ahead for the residents of Kansas City,” Megan Strickland, a spokesperson for Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, said in a statement confirming the settlement.
Revelations about the settlement come roughly seven months after the Kansas City Council fired Platt amid a highly-publicized whistleblower lawsuit — and subsequent $900,000 jury verdict — that revealed Platt suggested it was acceptable to lie to news organizations.
Platt’s firing roiled City Hall, which came under scrutiny over its level of public openness. In April, The Star and other local news organizations called on city officials to provide better access to transparent and accurate information.
A spokesperson for new City Manager Mario Vasquez also confirmed the settlement in a statement to The Star on Friday that referenced an undisclosed dispute.
“The dispute has been resolved, and the City wishes Platt the best in his future endeavors,” said spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt.
When pressed for more details, Honeycutt said she didn’t have any additional information beyond the statement and directed a reporter to file a records request. The Star submitted a request on Friday.
It remains unclear when — and how — the city entered into the agreement with Platt. However, the City Council discussed a series of undisclosed legal matters during a closed session on Thursday.
