News Summary
April Leonard and Andrea Watts, two communications staffers in Kansas City, have initiated a lawsuit against the city after being wrongfully accused of doxxing. Following a social media post linking them to Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s comments, both women faced a wave of harassment and threats. Their lawsuit contends that city officials failed to take adequate steps to defend them from this backlash, significantly harming their reputations and mental health. The controversy highlights the broader implications of social media in city governance and employee safety.
Kansas City Staffers Sue City Over Doxxing Allegations
Two communications staffers from Kansas City, April Leonard and Andrea Watts, have filed a lawsuit against the city after they were wrongfully accused of doxxing Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. This accusation followed a controversial social media post made on May 14, 2024, that incorrectly linked the pair to Butker’s public comments.
The post led to a surge of hateful, racist, and misogynistic threats directed at both women, instilling a genuine fear for their safety. Leonard and Watts argue that city officials, including Mayor Quinton Lucas, did not take sufficient steps to clear their names, which permitted the harassment to continue and significantly harmed their reputations.
April Leonard, who previously served as the city’s social media manager, has also filed a court petition claiming that the city failed to accommodate her needs related to an autoimmune condition. Her amended petition details the events surrounding the Butker incident, alleging negligence by the city in managing access to its social media accounts.
Impact of the Controversial Post
The problematic post mentioned Butker’s residence in Lee’s Summit, which sparked widespread criticism for its potential doxxing implications, even though it did not disclose his exact address. The controversy stemmed from remarks made by Butker during a commencement speech at Benedictine College, generating considerable backlash and resulting in the post going viral.
After 40 minutes of the post being live, the city terminated the employee responsible, deleted the content, and issued an apology for the incident. However, Leonard and Watts still faced severe consequences, including death threats from users on social media who mistakenly held them responsible due to their roles in managing city communications.
Emotional and Health Consequences
The harassment led both women to experience extreme emotional distress. Leonard reported worsening symptoms of her health condition as a direct result of the threats and online attacks. Mayor Lucas did publicly request that the harassment cease; however, he did not specifically name the women in his call for action.
Legal Action and Community Response
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has also criticized how the city handled the situation, calling for an investigation into the matter. The lawsuits filed by Leonard and Watts aim to secure monetary damages for the harassment they’ve endured and seek a judicial declaration that their rights were violated.
The city of Kansas City has not commented on the ongoing litigation or any personnel matters relating to this incident. The case highlights significant issues surrounding accountability in public communications and the safety of staff who manage sensitive information.
Background Context
This incident sheds light on the broader implications of social media use within city governance and the potential consequences of public missteps. As city personnel engage with the public online, the instances of repercussions due to erroneous postings or accusations can lead to dire outcomes, significantly impacting the lives of those involved. The developments surrounding the lawsuit will likely draw attention to how cities manage their communication strategies and support their employees in the wake of online harassment.
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star
- KMBC
- The Hill
- Axios
- KCTV5
- Wikipedia: Doxxing
- Google Search: Harrison Butker
- Google Scholar: Doxxing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Doxxing
- Google News: Harrison Butker doxxing
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
