Kansas City radio host sues city, alleging retaliation for protests

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A former Kansas City radio host filed suit against the Mayor’s Office, claiming the mayor’s chief of staff used veiled threats as an attempt to retaliate for his presence at a KC Tenants protest.

Hartzell Gray, a former radio host at KCUR, filed the suit in Jackson County Court on Wednesday, April 9. It’s a First Amendment Retaliation claim that cites the City of Kansas City and former mayor’s office Chief of Staff Morgan Said as defendants.

In the lawsuit, Gray claims the city “took an adverse action,” after Said called Gray’s bosses at KCUR following the Aug. 18, 2022, protest.

At the time of the lawsuit, Gray was a radio host for KCUR and regularly attended KC Tenants protests and rallies. The lawsuit claims Said “issued a veiled/vague threat to KCUR if it did not terminate (Gray) or in some way discipline (him).”

A day after the protest at City Hall, Gray said KCUR pulled him from his weekend shift, resulting in a loss of pay.

Gray’s lawsuit said a week later his boss texted him regarding setting up a meeting to discuss ways he could “support the causes you’re passionate about in a way that doesn’t make the newsroom’s work more difficult.” As a result, Gray claims he stopped attending in-person protests, demonstrations and meetings at City Hall.

“Defendants’ actions resulted in the desired effect, chilling (Gray)’s First Amendment rights and putting KCUR on notice that there would be consequences if it allowed (Gray) to continue enjoying his First Amendment rights,” the lawsuit reads.

In October 2022, Gray said he hosted the Urban Neighborhood Initiative Kansas City Gala and ran into Mayor Quinton Lucas. There, he claims he asked Lucas why his office was calling KCUR about his protests at City Hall. The lawsuit claims Lucas said he heard about that and then changed the conversation and walked away.

Said and Gray met for coffee on March 18, 2023, the lawsuit claims. Gray said during the meeting, Said was “both apologizing and justifying her actions.” Gray also claimed during that meeting Said asked him “what do you want?” and offered him seats on City boards and commissions, something Gray claims Lucas “was aware of and/or authorized as he is the only person who can appoint individuals to City boards and/or commissions.”

Gray claims Said’s role led to a damaged relationship between him and KCUR, which ultimately suspended him and later ended his employment.

The lawsuit says Gray had damages that were in excess of $25,000 and said he suffered “medically diagnosable and significant emotional distress which he sought and received treatment for.”

You can read the entire lawsuit here.

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