The Kansas Meadowlark

Aug 19, 2005

Speculation:  Did Taff's treasurer, who is Metcalf Bank President, 
finger Taff/Myers to save his career and bank?

 

One of the most curious aspects of the recent Taff indictment was how the Federal authorities learned about the $300,000 bank check and financial transaction in the first place.  Did someone finger Taff for political reasons?  Or, possibly did someone feel duty-bound to follow the law because the consequences were too great?

Jon L Stewart was Adam Taff's campaign treasurer and his name appears on reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, dated Jan 1, 2003 and Jan 1, 2004.  [Before Stewart, Suzie Hawkins was Taff's treasurer.  The exact date that Stewart stepped down as Taff's treasurer is not known, but Kimberly S Stewart's name appeared on Taff's reports to the FEC later in 2004 and 2005.  Any relationship between Kimberly S Stewart and Jon Stewart is not known.]

Jon L. Stewart is president and CEO of Metcalf Bank according to a JoCo Sun article, 10/21/2004, "Jon Stewart appointed to JCCC board position."

According to the indictment (see below), Taff kept his campaign funds in Stewart's Metcalf Bank.  What are the chances that the president/CEO of the bank would be made aware of any $300,000 withdrawal?  I'd guess it's nearly 100% likely that Stewart would know about such a large withdrawal as bank president.

The indictment gives this information about the dates of the financial transactions:

(a) In or about November 2003, the exact date being unknown to the grand jury, TAFF agreed to purchase a house at 177 Hillcrest West, Lake Quivira, Kansas, from MYERS and MYERS' wife. On or about December 15, 2003, TAFF, MYERS, and MYERS' wife signed a contract for TAFF to buy the house for $1.2 million.

(b) On or about January 19, 2004, TAFF met with a NovaStar agent and signed a loan application form which showed, among his personal assets, two accounts at Metcalf Bank, with balances of $61,746 and $250,000. Those were actually his campaign committee's accounts, and were not his personal assets even though at that time he had outstanding loans to his campaign committee totaling approximately $125,000.

Is it possible that Jon Stewart disagreed with these financial transactions, stepped down as campaign treasurer, and notified the Federal authorities? Stewart was likely obligated by law, both as a bank officer and a campaign treasurer, to notify the Feds about these financial transactions.

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