Katheryn Shields
Encyclopedia
Katheryn Shields is a Kansas City, Missouri
Democratic Party
politician who served as Jackson County, Missouri County Executive from 1995 to 2006.
in Kansas City, attended Park Hill High School
and graduated from North Kansas City High School
in 1964.
She moved south of the river.
At the University of Missouri - Kansas City She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1968, a Masters Degree in 1971, and a law degree in 1978.
After serving as an assistant Jackson County prosecutor in 1978 and 1979 she went into private practice.
from 1987 until 1994 when she was elected county executive. While on the Council, she championed the 1% for Art Program and an ordinance to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
During her watch as Jackson County Executive, the county launched a $20 million renovation of county buildings including the Jackson County Courthouse (Independence, Missouri)
), construction of a visitor center at Fort Osage
and negotiated an extension that will keep the Kansas City Royals
and Kansas City Chiefs
at a renovated Truman Sports Complex
through at least 2031. She instituted "green" policies that earned the County over two dozen environmental awards. Shields was the area's highest ranking Democratic elected local official, and a prominent supporter of John Kerry in 2004.
As 2006 ended, Shields opted not to seek a fourth term as County Executive, but to run for Mayor of Kansas city in the February, 2007, mayoral election.
who had been appointed by George W. Bush
.
At trial, it came to light that neither Shields nor her husband had signed any documents that were not entirely truthful, that crucial documents had been forged, and that the FBI had instructed one appraiser to perform a false appraisal and told the loan company to approve a loan without verifying values on the false appraisal. Shields and Cardarella were found Not Guilty of all charges, although co-defendant appraiser and co-horts were convicted.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician who served as Jackson County, Missouri County Executive from 1995 to 2006.
Early life
Shields was born north of the Missouri RiverMissouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
in Kansas City, attended Park Hill High School
Park Hill High School
Park Hill High School is one of two high schools in the Park Hill School District in Kansas City, Missouri. The current principal is Dr. Brad Kincheloe. The school is located on Barry Road in southern Platte County. The school was founded in 1952 with the original building located along 72nd street...
and graduated from North Kansas City High School
North Kansas City High School
North Kansas City High School, also known as "NKCHS," "NKC," and "Northtown," is a high school in North Kansas City, Missouri with 1700+ students, ranging from freshmen to seniors. The first graduating class found of record was in 1917 with three known graduates...
in 1964.
She moved south of the river.
At the University of Missouri - Kansas City She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1968, a Masters Degree in 1971, and a law degree in 1978.
After serving as an assistant Jackson County prosecutor in 1978 and 1979 she went into private practice.
Political offices
She served on the Kansas City, Missouri City CouncilKansas City, Missouri City Council
The City Council of Kansas City, Missouri, is the legislative body of the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Its offices are on the 24th floor of Kansas City City Hall and its legislative chambers are on the 26th floor. Its members represent the population of the more than 450,000 citizens of Kansas...
from 1987 until 1994 when she was elected county executive. While on the Council, she championed the 1% for Art Program and an ordinance to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
During her watch as Jackson County Executive, the county launched a $20 million renovation of county buildings including the Jackson County Courthouse (Independence, Missouri)
Jackson County Courthouse (Independence, Missouri)
The Jackson County Courthouse in Independence, Missouri is located on Independence Square at Main & Maple Street in Independence....
), construction of a visitor center at Fort Osage
Fort Osage
Fort Osage was part of the United States factory trading post system for the Osage Nation in the early 19th century near Sibley, Missouri....
and negotiated an extension that will keep the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
and Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
at a renovated Truman Sports Complex
Truman Sports Complex
The Harry S. Truman Sports Complex is a sports and entertainment facility located in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.. It is home to two major sports venues- Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, and Kauffman Stadium, home of Major League Baseball's Kansas City...
through at least 2031. She instituted "green" policies that earned the County over two dozen environmental awards. Shields was the area's highest ranking Democratic elected local official, and a prominent supporter of John Kerry in 2004.
As 2006 ended, Shields opted not to seek a fourth term as County Executive, but to run for Mayor of Kansas city in the February, 2007, mayoral election.
2007 court case
On January 6,2007 -- the day before she was scheduled to file for Mayor -- she and her husband Phil Cardarella were indicted on federal charges of wire fraud in connection with the sale of their Sunset Hills house in which prosecutors said the sale was at an inflated price. According to the alleged scheme Shields and her husband would receive $707,000 if they agreed to let an appraiser appraise it at $1.2 million with the appraiser and cohorts collecting the difference (the house had been on the market for $700,000) She claimed the charges were politically motivated by federal prosecutor Bradley SchlozmanBradley Schlozman
Bradley J. Schlozman is an American attorney who served as acting head of the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice under Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Schlozman was also later appointed by Gonzales as the interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri,...
who had been appointed by George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
.
At trial, it came to light that neither Shields nor her husband had signed any documents that were not entirely truthful, that crucial documents had been forged, and that the FBI had instructed one appraiser to perform a false appraisal and told the loan company to approve a loan without verifying values on the false appraisal. Shields and Cardarella were found Not Guilty of all charges, although co-defendant appraiser and co-horts were convicted.