A Kansas City, Missouri, police officer has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of siphoning $300,000 from a charity dedicated to anti-crime initiatives. Aaron Wayne McKie, a 24-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), allegedly misused donations intended for Mid-America Crime Free, Inc. (MACF) over a period of more than a decade.
The indictment accuses McKie of 14 counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering, stating that the officer used the nonprofit’s funds for personal gain, including lavish expenditures on travel, dining, and luxury items.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, the grand jury indictment was made public after the arrest of 46-year-old McKie, who had served as the president of MACF from 2009 to 2023. His arrest and initial court appearance brought to light the allegations against him.
An annual golf tournament, Fairways 4 Fuzz, was identified as the major source of the misappropriated funds. Documents indicate the tournament was promoted as a means to fund free seminars for rental property owners and training for police officers. However, the indictment reveals that McKie diverted the funds for personal use, while the salaries and expenses of officers providing landlord training were actually paid by the KCPD.
The detailed breakdown of the allegedly misused funds is eye-opening: $125,989 spent on travel, entertainment, restaurants, and bars; $57,278 on retail and luxury items; $41,040 transferred to personal accounts; $23,298 on household expenses; and $8,299 on personal tax payments. It is also noted that $36,874 was taken in cash, showcasing the extensive nature of the misuse.
“In September of 2023, our department learned of potential fraud on the part of one of our officers and immediately began an investigation. The alleged fraud involved the financial activity associated with a nonprofit, run by an officer, that assisted with the Crime Free Multi-Housing program,” Police Department released a statement, “We immediately placed the officer involved on suspension pending the outcome of the investigation. Our investigators subsequently forwarded the results of the investigation to the U.S. Attorney’s office for its review.”
Relevant articles:
– Kansas City, Missouri, police officer charged with stealing $300,000 in donations from anti-crime charity, kshb.com, 04/28/2024
– Kansas City police officer indicted for charity fraud scheme, WDAF FOX4 Kansas City, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:04:28 GMT
– Kansas City officer accused of spending $300k in stolen donations on own expenses, KCTV 5, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:15:00 GMT
– KCPD officer accused in $300,000 charity fraud scheme, Hays Post, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 12:08:27 GMT
– Federal grand jury indicts Kansas City police officer, accused of misusing non-profit funds, KMBC Kansas City, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 22:31:00 GMT