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Sedgwick County commissioners censure O’Donnell over attack ad

Sedgwick County commissioners censure O’Donnell over attack ad

Sedgwick County commissioners censure O’Donnell over attack ad

Sedgwick County commissioners have approved a resolution censuring Commissioner Michael O’Donnell for his involvement in a false attack ad during the Wichita mayoral campaign last year.   The resolution asks O’Donnell to resign as the 2nd District Commissioner, and decline to serve if he is re-elected on November 3rd.

Commissioner Jim Howell read the resolution, saying that O’Donnell’s comments in a recently-released audio recording “display a lack of honesty and integrity” and reflects conduct inconsistent with a code of ethical conduct for commissioners.    The audio was secretly recorded during a conversation between O’Donnell, Wichita city council member James Clendenin and State Representative Michael Capps, and the discussion involved shifting blame for a false attack ad directed at Brandon Whipple during his campaign for Wichita Mayor last fall.

Howell said “The comments and conduct by Commissioner O’Donnell within the audio recording were not consistent with the Democratic ideals of honesty, openness and accountability” stated within a code of ethical conduct.    Howell moved to approve the resolution, it was seconded by Commissioner David Dennis, and the resolution was approved on a 4-0 vote, with O’Donnell abstaining.

O’Donnell made a statement saying that he raised money for billboards and it was spent on the attack ad.  He said he had nothing to do with the creation, production, script and initiation of the “Protect Wichita Girls” ad that made false accusations against Brandon Whipple.    O’Donnell said he did not provide overview of that “shameful video,” but he did make serious errors in judgment by making an effort to cover up the video and shift the blame for it.  He said he never acted on the comments in that conversation, but he called it a serious lapse in judgment.

O’Donnell said “I deeply regret my actions.  I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone that I’ve hurt through my stupid decisions.  There is no excuse for my actions and no excuses are going to be given here today.”   O’Donnell apologized to each of the commissioners for the distraction and the embarrassment and he said he doesn’t begrudge the action taken by them on the resolution.

O’Donnell said 2020 has been a bad year for him and “for all of us, for our community.”   He talked about the loss of his father, Wichita pastor Michael O’Donnell, in February, “and he’s not here for me to talk to and get counsel on that issue but that is not an excuse for my actions, because they were wrong.”   He said “I apologize for my actions.  You, the citizens of District 2, deserve better and I will be better.”

 

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