Month: January 2015

Kansas attorney general sues New Jersey company for false billing of public schools

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has filed suit against a New Jersey company that allegedly sent false invoices for textbooks that were never purchased or delivered to at least 317 Kansas public schools.

In a lawsuit, Schmidt asked the Shawnee County District Court to order Robert Armstrong, an individual doing business as Scholastic School Supply of Franklinville, N.J., to pay a $634,000 civil penalty for multiple violations of the Kansas False Claims Act. This company is not affiliated with Scholastic Inc., the well known children’s book publisher.

An investigation by the attorney general’s consumer protection division stemmed from multiple complaints received from school districts across Kansas that received false invoices from Scholastic School Supply between September and December 2014. None of the Kansas schools receiving invoices had actually ordered textbooks from the company. At the time the invoices were being sent to Kansas, Schmidt’s office worked with the Kansas Department of Education to notify school districts statewide of the problem before they paid the invoices.

“Falsely billing Kansas public school districts is an attempt to defraud Kansas taxpayers and a serious violation of the law,” Schmidt said. “We take seriously our responsibility to protect taxpayers from this sort of misconduct by vigorously enforcing the Kansas False Claims Act.”

In 2009, the Kansas Legislature enacted the Kansas False Claims Act, giving the attorney general authority to file suit against individuals or entities that submit false or fraudulent claims for payment to a state agency or local government. As a member of the Kansas Senate at the time, Schmidt was one of the original proponents of creating a false claims act in Kansas.

To report public funds that could be recovered under the False Claims Act, contact the attorney general’s office at 800-432-2310.

Yoder reintroduces legislation to cut congressional salaries

Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., has reintroduced bills that would cut congressional salaries and eliminate the federal employee retirement system pension program for members of Congress.

His first bill, HR 179, would implement a five percent salary cut for all members of Congress, and eliminate automatic cost-of-living adjustment increases.

The second bill, HR 180, would eliminate the FERS pension program for members of Congress. Currently, members of Congress are required to participate in the system without being able to opt out. The system pays pension benefits to all members of Congress when they retire, if they served at least five years.

Both bills have been referred to the House Committee on Administration and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

KCKCC volleyball All-American Russell to Missouri Western

With head coach Mary Bruno looking on, Kansas City Kansas Community College All-American Blair Russell put the final touches on her transfer to Western Missouri State University where she’ll continue her volleyball career beginning next week. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
With head coach Mary Bruno looking on, Kansas City Kansas Community College All-American Blair Russell put the final touches on her transfer to Western Missouri State University where she’ll continue her volleyball career beginning next week. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins
Kansas City Kanas Community College All-American Blair Russell will continue her volleyball career at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.

An All-Jayhawk and All-District first team selection in helping lead the Lady Blue Devils to the consolation championship of the NJCAA Division II national tournament, Russell is KCKCC’s first player to be named to the NJCAA First All-America team.

A December graduate at KCKCC, Russell will transfer immediately and begin classes at MWSU next week.

“I talked to quite a few MIAA schools and had decided to wait until the spring to decide because I had had no time to go visit,” Russell said. “But I took a visit to MWSU because it was so close and just loved it – and they had the program I wanted to major in.”

“The entire Blue Devil coaching staff is so proud of Blair’s achievements both on the court and in the classroom,” said KCKCC head coach Mary Bruno. “Her work last spring was the turning point. She worked so hard and it showed by the All-American honors. A leader and great team player, she has the potential to make a major impact at Missouri Western. I just can’t wait to see what the next two years hold for her.”

Russell, who earned an associate’s degree at KCKCC with a major in journalism, will major in convergent media at MWSU.

“I really like photography and video editing,” Russell said. By transferring now, her goal is to graduate in December of 2017.

At Missouri Western, Russell will fill the same role she played at KCKCC, outside hitter where she was fifth in the nation in kills (516) and eighth in kills (3.94) per game.

“I was recruited to fill the spot of their outside hitter who graduated,” said Russell, who was recruited by head coach Marian Carbin and assistant Signe Mueller. “They really seemed to care about their players and program and think I’ll fit right in.” Russell is one of two Jayhawk Conference standouts joining the NWMU program this spring. “The setter from Fort Scott also signed,” Russell said.

The location of MWSU is a great fit for Russell. Her older sister and a former KCKCC player, Riley, is a nurse in the Kansas City area while her parents now live in Omaha.

A graduate of Marysville (Kan.) High School where she was a three-sport standout, Russell almost gave up competitive volleyball after injuring her shoulder her freshman year at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. However, once in contact with Bruno, Russell decided to continue at KCKCC, a decision she calls one of the best of her life.

“I had a really good time and am going to miss it,” Russell said.