Kansas City Attorney Caught in Tax Evasion Scheme Linked to City Contracts
Kansas City, Mo. — In a story that seems straight out of a legal drama, former Independence attorney John Carnes has found himself deep in hot water following a plea deal that was revealed this week. This deal has unearthed some shocking details about Carnes and his financial dealings with city contracts that are currently under investigation by federal authorities.
The Plea Deal Unfolds
Federal prosecutors made a significant announcement on Monday, confirming that Carnes has pleaded guilty to a hefty $857,000 in tax evasion. The case stems from a broader investigation into Carnes’s finances, where it was discovered that he had deposited an astonishing $232,000 into attorney trust accounts. This money reportedly came from fees tied to two controversial projects: the sale of the Rockwood Golf Club and the demolition of the Missouri City Power Plant. Both projects have puzzled and aggravated officials at Independence City Hall for some time.
Shady Deals and Commissions
During a phone interview with a local team, Carnes admitted to earning a commission from the sale of Rockwood Golf Club, a revelation that changes the narrative he presented back in 2018. At that time, Carnes claimed he only hoped the city would turn the property into a park. It seems this recent disclosure contradicts his earlier statements about having no involvement in the sale except for some good old-fashioned wishing.
Carnes explained, “I coordinated the… with my own knowledge, I understood the city was looking for a solar panel, a place to put solar panels,” he said. It’s quite the about-face from his previous claim that he was just a bystander wishing for the best outcome for the property. This begs the question—what exactly was going on behind the scenes?
The Hidden Meetings
The plot thickens when you look back at the investigation led by a watchdog team that began back in 2018. This team discovered that members of the Independence City Council were meeting privately with Carnes to discuss crucial city projects, raising eyebrows over how a convicted felon was able to participate in city affairs. In fact, Carnes was previously convicted of bank fraud and bribery back in 1989 when he was a city council member himself—putting him on a naughty list that should be quite familiar to city leaders.
Details emerged showing that Carnes had interacted with former council members and even taken part in discussions about selling Rockwood Golf Club to the city. In a curious twist, a few months later, that very property became a solar farm after the city purchased it from a man named Joe Campbell, who reportedly earned an eye-popping $435,000 profit from the sale.
FBI Probes and Future Consequences
Once his activities were uncovered, the FBI stepped in to scrutinize the operations of Independence city leaders more closely. Carnes initially denied any wrongdoing in connection with the sale—until now, as federal inquiries continue to unravel the tangled web of commissions and deals.
While Carnes has acknowledged earning a commission, he is still remaining tight-lipped about who exactly cut him a check. When pressed about whether it was Campbell who compensated him, Carnes quickly retreated, stating, “I’d rather not get that guy involved in this.” Campbell, for his part, remains vague and unwilling to clarify whether he indeed paid Carnes.
The Tax Evasion Charges
As for the tax issues at hand, Carnes is facing serious repercussions. He pled guilty to failing to pay taxes going back to 1990. The consequences could see him spending up to five years in prison without parole. Surprisingly, Carnes is taking this looming possibility somewhat in stride, jokingly noting that “If I go to prison, I’ll lose weight, get my blood pressure down, probably help restore my health.”
As all these ramifications unravel, it seems that John Carnes has placed himself at the center of a whirlwind scandal that has left many pondering the integrity of the dealings within Independence City Hall. With the FBI’s investigation still ongoing, it remains to be seen just how deep this rabbit hole goes.
