Kansas City officials argue that lying to the media is not against the law and should not be the basis of a whistleblower complaint filed against the city by its former top spokesperson.
The city filed a motion in Jackson County Circuit Court last week seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Chris Hernandez, the city’s former communications director. In his suit, Hernandez alleged that he was demoted for refusing to lie to The Star and other local news organizations about city projects and services at the behest of City Manager Brian Platt.
In its motion, the city argues that lying to the press is not a violation of any law, rule or regulation.
“Despite the respected place that the press has as the fourth estate of American politics, there is no law concerning false disclosures to the press,” the city’s motion reads. “Nor is there a rule or regulation set forth by any governmental entity, including the city, that governs false disclosures to the press.”
In his original lawsuit, Hernandez said he was “not willing to put his credibility on the line” for Platt, alleging the city manager instructed staff to lie as part of a “media strategy.”
Hernandez is suing the city for damages under a Missouri law that protects whistleblowers, saying he lost his job for telling Platt that he “should not be dishonest to the news media and the public.” But the city’s motion argues that Hernandez does not meet the definition of a whistleblower under Missouri law and asks for dismissal of...
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