KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - After an hour of deliberation, a Kansas City jury has awarded the former communications director and whistleblower a hefty settlement after he was forced out of his position.
At the end of a days-long trial on Wednesday, March 5, a jury of two men and two women unanimously sided with former Kansas City, Missouri, City Communications Director Chris Hernandez and awarded him $700,000.
The suit centered on whether City Manager Brian Platt told staff to lie to the media - and to the public - in 2022. Hernandez said he was demoted when he pushed back.
The City’s attorneys argued, however, that Hernandez’s performance did not live up to expectations.
On the other hand, Hernandez’s attorney said this was a case about integrity and that Hernandez just did his duty for the city’s residents but got fired for it.
The jury found in Hernandez’ favor on verdict A, the whistleblower claim for his removal as director of Communications. He was awarded what he claimed he lost in wages and pension, $228,828.99.
On verdict B, the determination of damages from the removal, he was awarded $700,000, but he will only receive the higher amount.
In a statement following the verdict, Hernandez said, “This is a victory for the truth and transparency that Kansas City residents deserve. During my whistleblower lawsuit, we presented solid evidence of multiple times I pushed back when the City Manager wanted to inflate numbers, as well as when he suggested that we make lying to...
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