Suit: Indy Kept Chief on Payroll to Hide Info

The City of Independence is facing explosive new allegations that its leaders struck a secret deal to keep former Police Chief Adam Dustman on the city payroll to conceal damaging information. A civil lawsuit filed in Jackson County Circuit Court on April 28 by Maj. Mike Onka, a 25-year veteran of the force, claims former City Manager Zach Walker entered into an undisclosed resignation agreement with Dustman. According to the lawsuit detailed by The Kansas City Star, the agreement was designed 'to attempt to conceal information known by the Chief of Police which implicated the City Manager in the mismanagement of the Police Department.' Onka's petition alleges this arrangement led to retaliation and created a hostile work environment after he filed an internal complaint against Dustman in May 2025.

Onka's lawsuit is not an isolated incident. It is the latest in a series of legal actions brought by current officers against the City of Independence and its police leadership. Just a week prior, on April 21, Capt. Billy Pope filed a separate lawsuit alleging age discrimination and retaliation. Pope's suit, covered by KCTV5 and other outlets, claims he was targeted after discovering that an internal investigation into an alleged drunk driving crash by Dustman in September 2024 was missing from the department's tracking system. When Pope reported the discrepancy, he claims Dustman threatened him, stating that discussing internal affairs was a 'demotable offense.' These lawsuits paint a picture of a department in turmoil, with senior officers accusing the highest levels of command of cover-ups and obstructing investigations.

At the heart of the controversy is a significant sum of taxpayer money. Payroll records obtained by The Kansas City Star show that Dustman, who officially resigned in August 2025, continued to receive payments totaling at least $61,397.15 through early March 2026. The city has refused to release the separation agreement that authorizes these payments, citing exemptions under Missouri's Sunshine Law. This refusal has drawn legal challenges. Bernie Rhodes, an attorney for The Star, sent a letter to city officials on April 16 demanding the document's release. 'The Dustman severance agreement is not just a public record; it is an open public record,' Rhodes' letter stated, citing a Missouri Appeals Court ruling on similar severance contracts. Despite this, the city remains silent on the details of the agreement.

The turmoil within the Independence Police Department is more than a local government dispute; it's a significant issue for the entire Kansas City region. Independence is one of the metro's largest suburbs, and a 'fractured and, at times, ineffective police force,' as Onka's lawsuit alleges, has serious implications for public safety and trust. The claims of secret deals and using taxpayer money to conceal information erode public confidence in government institutions. For Kansas City business leaders and residents, the situation raises critical questions about accountability, transparency, and the leadership overseeing law enforcement in a key part of the metro area.

The City of Independence has stated its intention to 'vigorously defend itself against the allegations' made by Capt. Pope, according to a statement sent to KSHB 41 News. The city has not yet publicly responded to Maj. Onka's more recent lawsuit. The legal battle over the release of Dustman's severance agreement under the Missouri Sunshine Law is expected to continue, potentially setting a precedent for public records access. A case management conference for Pope's lawsuit is scheduled for August 24, 2026, but the discovery process in both cases will likely bring more details to light in the coming months. The KC Group will continue to monitor these developments and their impact on city governance and public trust.