Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson has responded to a finding he violated the City’s ethics ordinance during his altercation with KS Rep. Ford Carr at a Topeka bar earlier this year.
The Wichita Ethics Board heard a complaint filed by Brad Couch, a Wichita police officer,alleging Johnson violated four standards of the city’s ethics code of conduct. After a hearing that included testimony from several witnesses and a statement by Johnson, the board found Johnson violated one standard – “be dedicated to the ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships.”
The altercation occurred at an event for public and elected officials and for that reason the board found “Johnson’s behavior in question, in the context of a City-related event or at least in the presence of government officials in a business establishment, violated the ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships.”
He was not found in violation of the following ethics standards:
A.. Conduct themselves so as to maintain public confidence in the City and its officials.
B. Address constituents’ concerns and needs, striving to provide the highest level of service with equity, neither granting special favor nor discriminating against any citizen.
C. Work in full cooperation with other officials and employees as they carry out the lawful discharge of their duties, unless prohibited by law or recognized confidentiality of material, to perform the operations of government, and refrain from requesting correction of any municipal code violation beyond the proper process, including but not limited to the fixing of traffic tickets.
The commission said they did not find Johnson’s actions rose to the level of violating A and C. They found standard B not applicable in this situation.
Because the board found “extenuating circumstances of the repeated provocations and physical aggression of Carr,” they decided against imposing a fine and only ruled a written report be prepared summarizing their findings and that the public be made available to the public.
Johnson issued a response saying he fully accepts the findings.
“Let me be clear: I have never – and will never back down from bullies, especially when I am standing up for what is right and what best serves the people I represent,” wrote Johnson.
In response to the alterations focus, addressing the needs of residents impacted by the 29th and Grove oil spill contamination, Johnson wrote. “The residents impacted by the 29th and Grove contamination deserve more than performative outrage and attention-seeking antics. They deserve real, sustainable solutions and justice.
“They deserve a thoughtful, fact-based response that acknowledges the limited, one-time funds available – and how they will be used to provide critical answers to those who have lived for decades above contaminated soil and water. They deserve leadership that doesn’t just talk about change – but walks it.”
Over the past couple of years, I’ve continued to work collaboratively with fellow elected officials and local organizations on a plan to provide long-term screening and testing opportunities for those impacted.
In the coming weeks, we will share more details about the plan, including the timeline and the progress we’ve made so far–both in terms of screening and testing, as well as the steps being taken toward remediation.”
