Kansas City, Missouri, August 2, 2025
News Summary
Kerrie Tyndall, former assistant city manager of Kansas City, has reached a $900,000 settlement with the city over claims of workplace mistreatment. The Kansas City Council approved the settlement without discussion, allowing Tyndall to dismiss her whistleblower and discrimination lawsuit against the city. This settlement follows previous lawsuits involving former city employees, highlighting ongoing issues relating to mistreatment under ex-City Manager Brian Platt’s administration. The city’s total expenditure on related settlements has now surpassed $2.3 million.
Kansas City
Kerrie Tyndall, a former Kansas City assistant city manager, has secured a settlement of $900,000 with the city following her allegations of workplace mistreatment. The Kansas City Council approved the settlement on Thursday, moving forward without any discussion.
As part of the agreement, Tyndall has agreed to dismiss her own whistleblower and employment discrimination lawsuit against the city, effectively ending her legal battle. This settlement marks the second significant financial agreement reached by the City Council this year involving former city employees allegedly mistreated under the leadership of former City Manager Brian Platt.
Since complaints regarding Platt’s leadership have come to light, the city has incurred over $2.3 million in settlements. In 2023 alone, Tyndall’s case follows another high-profile lawsuit regarding former communications director Chris Hernandez, who won a jury verdict totaling $930,000 in damages after claiming he was demoted for refusing to distort city accomplishments in media statements. The total expense for settling the Hernandez case reached approximately $1.4 million, which included attorney fees and additional costs.
Tyndall played a pivotal role in Hernandez’s whistleblower lawsuit, providing crucial testimony that revealed troubling practices within the city management under Platt’s administration. Her testimony corroborated that Platt’s aide had developed a flow chart that prioritized public relations over transparent dissemination of information to the public.
Tyndall herself has claimed that she experienced significant unfair treatment. After offering advice that was not well-received by Platt, she said she faced professional sidelining. Tyndall alleged that her responsibilities were unfairly reassigned to younger male colleagues and that she was subsequently transferred to a less critical role within the organization prior to her resignation.
Following her departure from city management, Tyndall took on a new role as the executive director of the Westport Regional Business League, seeking to leverage her expertise in a different capacity.
At this time, at least one additional lawsuit against the city regarding similar allegations remains pending in the Jackson County Circuit Court, which has the potential to raise the city’s settlement costs even further. The controversy surrounding these employee mistreatment claims ultimately led to the dismissal of Brian Platt by the City Council in March 2025 after the jury’s decision related to the Hernandez case.
This situation underlines ongoing challenges within Kansas City’s leadership and management structure, emphasizing the significant financial and reputational impacts of these settlements and lawsuits related to employee treatment in the workplace.
FAQ
What was Kerrie Tyndall’s settlement amount?
Kerrie Tyndall secured a settlement of $900,000 with the city of Kansas City.
Why did Tyndall file a lawsuit against the city?
Tyndall alleged whistleblower retaliation and employment discrimination after experiencing unfair treatment and being sidelined in her role by former City Manager Brian Platt.
What is the total cost incurred by the city for settlements linked to former employees?
The city has spent over $2.3 million in total on settlements associated with mistreatment of employees under former City Manager Brian Platt.
What key testimony did Tyndall provide in Hernandez’s lawsuit?
Tyndall testified that Platt’s aide created a flow chart that prioritized public relations over the accurate dissemination of public information.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Settlement Amount | $900,000 agreed upon by the City Council. |
| Related Lawsuits | Includes a prior lawsuit by Chris Hernandez with a total cost of $1.4 million. |
| Total Costs So Far | Over $2.3 million spent on settlements related to former employees. |
| Impact on City Leadership | Brian Platt was terminated from his position as City Manager following the lawsuits. |
| Future Legal Matters | At least one more lawsuit is pending in court against the city. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Lawsuit Filed Against Kansas City Public Schools for Age Discrimination
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City News
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
- Missouri Independent
- Google Search: Kansas City news
- KCTV5 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kansas City
- Kansas City Defender
- Google News: Kansas City whistleblower
- KSHB News
- Google Scholar: Kansas City settlements
- Fox 4 KC News
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.
