KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – On Thursday, Kansas City City Manager Brian Platt was suspended with pay by Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council. Questions now remain about Platt’s future in the City of Fountains.

Mayor Lucus and the 12-member City Council released a letter announcing Platt’s suspension. That letter came just one day after a jury ruled in favor of a former city employee who claimed in a whistleblower lawsuit that Platt had suggested the staff lie to the media.

The city must pay former communications director, Chris Hernandez, $700,000.

Whistleblower awarded $700K after forced out by City Manager

On Friday, Mayor Lucas told KCTV5 that “it certainly isn’t accidental” that Platt’s suspension came after the jury’s verdict.

“I have never been in a meeting where anyone has said or told someone to lie to the media, that is not something that we support,” said Lucas. He added, “I have not heard that from the City Manager, I have not heard that from others in the communications realm, I myself have never said that.”

Nevertheless, Lucas said, “This is a chance to see where we wish to go forward going into the future.”

During the trial, Lucas testified that he supported the removal of Hernandez from the City’s Communications Department.

When asked on Friday if he still supported City Manager Platt, the Mayor didn’t answer directly but shared he supports employers having the choice to keep or remove employees.

“This is a chance to see where we wish to go forward going into the future so I don’t have an answer to that for you today,” said Lucas.

Mayor Lucas said it has been a productive few years, including the time with Platt as City Manager, but said it is important the people of Kansas City have confidence in all the city’s employees.

“These situations are never easy, but our duty is always to the people of Kansas City ensuring that they can trust us (and) that they can believe what is coming out of city hall,” said Lucas.

KCTV5 reached out to Brian Platt for comment on his suspension but did not receive a response.

KCTV5 also contacted all 12 City Council members, most didn’t respond, and some said no comment. Councilman Kevin O’Neill shared a statement:

I am of the opinion we probably need to move on, however that is a decision that will be made by the entire council and Mayor at our next meeting March 20th.

I published a labor newspaper for over 30 years. I am a huge supporter of our labor force. Respecting employees is so important in any office environment. There is or should be a process when you are unhappy with an employee’s performance. It appears, based on the court verdict and other lawsuits facing the city, the City Manager fell short in that area.

A decision on Platt’s future will be made on Thursday, March 20 by the City Council and the Mayor.

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