MO Lawyers Blog

A recent lawsuit targets security guards and off-duty police officers at Kansas City Power & Light District for alleged brutality.

The plaintiff, Scott Oliver, claims the “attack” from security guards happened while he was trying to watch an altercation between his friend and another patron who was urinating on him. The incident happened Sept. 28, 2008, in front of Lucky Strike Lanes in the entertainment district. Oliver later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in Kansas City Municipal Court, according to city records.

Six security guards are listed in the lawsuit, all facing counts of battery for reportedly putting the plaintiff into a “choke hold” and kneeing him in the side and stomach. Three were off-duty officers with the Kansas City Police Department serving as security guards, according to the lawsuit filed last week in Jackson County Circuit Court.  Oliver complained of two broken ribs, a concussion and other injuries as a result of the incident.

The lawsuit names as defendants Adam Belben, Raashid Brown and Donne McKimmey, all of whom Oliver claims are employees of a company known as Power & Light Public Safety. A Power & Light Public Safety official declined an interview.

Also named in the lawsuit are Officer Brandon Hunter, an Officer Epstein and an Officer Williams. The police department’s media unit later clarified it employs an Officer Jeffrey Epstein, but couldn’t identify the latter officer, as 10 officers with the last name of Williams work for the department. Messages left for Epstein and Hunter weren’t immediately returned.

A police incident report described Oliver as being “belligerent” before a ground struggle ensued, stating “It is unknown how these injuries occurred.”

Robert Wehrman, of McDowell, Rice, Smith & Buchanan, represents the plaintiff.

The case is Scott Oliver v. Adam Belben et al. No case number has been assigned yet.