Kansas City whistleblower Chris Hernandez to receive up to $1.4 million

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City finance committee is prepared to pay out city whistleblower Chris Hernandez. The full city council votes on that settlement May 15.

In March 2025, a Jackson County jury ordered the city of Kansas City to pay $930,000 in damages after a jury found Hernandez was retaliated against by then-city manager Brian Platt for refusing to lie to the media.

In addition to the $930,000, with legal fees, the city owes Hernandez $1.4 million.

Winners in civil trials are often entitled to receive legal fees as further compensation.

Originally, a jury said Hernandez deserved $230,000 for his whistleblower claim and $700,000 for damages. The new amount, including legal fees, is $500,000 more, equaling the $1.4M.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council unanimously agreed to remove Brian Platt as City Manager following the lawsuit.

Mario Vasquez is Kansas City’s new city manager as of May 2025.

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