KANSAS CITY, MO – Less than 12 hours after The Kansas City Defender published our bombshell exposé, which has already reached tens of thousands across the city, exposing the long record of corruption, retaliation, and blatant racism at the highest levels of Kansas City leadership, City Manager Brian Platt has been suspended.
A letter from Mayor Quinton Lucas, sent to Platt today, confirms his immediate suspension with pay—just one day after a jury ruled in favor of former City Communications Director Chris Hernandez, awarding him nearly $1 million in damages for the city’s retaliation against him after he refused to lie to the public on Platt’s orders.
In the letter, Mayor Lucas writes:
“You have been suspended with pay from your position as City Manager, effective immediately.”
Lucas also announced that Deputy City Manager Kimiko Gilmore will step in as Interim City Manager until the City Council votes on Platt’s fate at its next scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 20.
This development follows a wave of public outrage sparked by The Defender’s comprehensive investigative report, which laid out in damning detail how Platt has spent his tenure weaponizing his position against Black city employees, whistleblowers, and women—costing taxpayers millions in lawsuits and settlements while shielding himself with political protection from the mayor and city leadership.
The people of Kansas City have spoken. The facts are undeniable. And now, finally, the walls are closing in on one of the most corrupt and abusive city officials in modern Kansas City history.
The full letter reads below:
“Dear Mr. Platt,
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 218(e) of the City Charter of the City of Kansas City, and in consultation with my City Council colleagues, I write to inform you that you have been suspended with pay from your position as City Manager, effective immediately.
Consistent with the City Charter, the City Council will ratify or reject this determination or take other action at its next scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Within one day of the meeting you will be provided with notification of the City Council’s action. Until such time and as directed by the Charter, I am temporarily appointing Deputy City Manager Kimiko Gilmore as Interim City Manager of the City of Kansas City.”
This is a developing story.
