Kansas City official responds to report of FBI investigation: ‘Egregious’
Kansas City Mayor Pro-Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw on Thursday blasted a report that she and her husband, a city director, were under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Parks-Shaw, speaking inside the Kansas City Council chambers at City Hall, said she has not been contacted by federal investigators, but stopped short of directly refuting the existence of an investigation.
“Yesterday, I was made aware of recent headlines containing egregious and misleading accusations designed to generate attention rather than inform the public,” she said. “I have not been contacted by any federal officials regarding any investigation. Should I be contacted, I will cooperate fully.”
Parks-Shaw’s comments came a day after FOX 4 reported through anonymous sources that the FBI was investigating Parks-Shaw and her husband, Michael Shaw, the city’s public works director. The report was short on specifics about the investigation, but said the FBI asked sources about Parks-Shaw and her husband using their authority for their own gain.
The allegations come as Parks-Shaw has launched a campaign for mayor in 2027, potentially upending the mayoral race. The existence of an FBI investigation also reverberated through City Hall on Thursday and Parks-Shaw called it the “elephant in the room.”
A spokesperson for Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, in a statement on Thursday, acknowledged that he was aware of the media report but did not provide additional information.
“The Mayor’s Office is aware of the reports regarding an ongoing federal investigation,” said spokesperson Megan Strickland. “We remain focused on delivering for Kansas City residents and remain committed to transparency in city government.”
While addressing her colleagues on Thursday, Parks-Shaw added that she would request her own ethics investigation to learn more information. It was not immediately clear what the focus of her ethics investigation would be.
