A former vice president of the First National Bank of Harveyville, Kansas, was sentenced to four months home confinement, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, she was ordered to pay restitution of approximately $107,175.
Debra Kay Converse, 60, Harveyville, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement.
In her plea agreement, Converse admitted that in April 2019 the president of First National Bank reported to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff that he believed Converse had embezzled from the bank while she was vice president. The bank’s investigation focused on what Converse claimed were glitches in software.
On March 29, 2019, Converse resigned from the bank and the bank initiated an audit.
The bank also learned that Converse, while serving as city treasurer for Harveyville wrote $5,700 in checks payable to First National Bank for processing residents’ utility payments. Rather than crediting the revenue to the bank, she cashed the checks.
McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway for their work on the case.
Longtime Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber today announced his retirement from professional soccer.
During a 15-year career, Feilhaber helped Sporting KC win an MLS Cup and two U.S. Open Cup championships as well as a Concacaf Gold Cup title and FIFA World Cup appearance with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Feilhaber, 35, scored 56 goals in over 400 professional matches during a well-traveled club career that included stops in the German Bundesliga, English Premier League, Danish Superliga and Major League Soccer.
Across nine MLS seasons, the creative midfielder recorded 41 goals and 63 assists in 271 appearances and became one of 17 players in league history to notch 40 goals and 60 assists in regular season play.
Feilhaber also earned 44 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2007-2017, notably winning the 2007 Concacaf Gold Cup, helping the USA to a second-place finish at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and playing three matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
“I have had the humbling privilege to compete alongside so many great teammates and coaches for the last 15 years, and I am extremely thankful for the moments we have shared together on and off the field,” Feilhaber said. “I also want to extend a massive thank you to all of the fans who supported me along the way. They have played an integral part of my wonderful journey since day one.”
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and raised in Irvine, California, Feilhaber finished his Sporting Kansas City tenure with 35 goals and 58 assists in 198 matches (175 starts) across all competitions.
He spent two stints in Kansas City, guiding the club to five straight playoff appearances from 2013 to 2017 and returning in 2019 for his final professional season. His 35 goals and 58 assists rank seventh and third on the club’s all-time charts, and he is one of four players in club history — alongside Preki, Chris Klein and current Sporting defender Graham Zusi — with at least 30 goals and 50 assists.
“My six years at Sporting shaped me as a person and a player,” Feilhaber said. “I had the most individual and team success at this club, making lifelong friends and playing in front of the best supporters I’ve come across. I married the love of my life weeks before moving to Kansas City and we built our life and family during these special years. I’m so thankful for everything the club has given me and my family.
“Peter Vermes and the coaching staff got me to play at a level I didn’t know I had in me. I’m also grateful for the amazing teammates at Sporting and so proud of the winning memories we made with our fans — from the Cauldron to the South Stand and everywhere in between. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, and Kansas City will forever be my home.”
During a U.S. House Small Business Committee hearing Tuesday, Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., examined the effect of the coronavirus-19 on Kansas’ small businesses and discussed additional measures Congress could take to offset economic hardship for workers and businesses.
This hearing comes in the wake of Congress’ $8.3 billion emergency funding package, which enables the Small Business Administration to make an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses.
“For small businesses in Kansas and across the country, the coronavirus has the potential to cause devastating financial hardship that would have a ripple effect throughout our economy. These businesses make up the backbone of our communities, and we have to ensure they are properly supported and protected,” Rep. Davids said.
Rep. Davids shared a story of a small business owner in Overland Park who is worried about how decreased sales could jeopardize her businesses’ future – leaving her unable to cover rent, pay her bills or get groceries.
“Preventative measures to help contain and mitigate the coronavirus are essential for public health and safety, and have to remain our priority. But we cannot overlook the possible impact of this epidemic on our economy and small businesses, which are so vital to Kansas’ Third District,” Rep. Davids said.
To watch Davids’ remarks during the hearing, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/7jw3alo2h870l7e/Davids%20COVID%20question.mp4?dl=0.
