AT ISSUE IS AN AMOUNT ESTIMATED AT $13,000
A case of “suspicious expenditures” within the Parkville Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development is now in the hands of the Platte County Prosecutor.
The Platte County Sheriff’s Office has conducted an investigation into the suspicious financial matters, allegedly involving an amount of about $13,000. Detectives have forward the case to the prosecutor for review and a decision on charges.
On Friday, May 22, the prosecutor’s office confirmed to The Landmark that “we do have the case referral in our office from the sheriff’s office and the matter is currently under review.”
On the previous day, Eric Zahnd, prosecutor, had told The Landmark his office did not yet have the case. The next day his staff reached out to correct that statement, saying Zahnd had initially been provided incorrect information in response to the inquiry.
As previously reported in The Landmark, a now-former employee is listed as a suspect in an incident report by the sheriff’s department. The employee, Kalynn Guffey, age 31, was arrested and booked into custody for a time on Wednesday, May 6 before being released with no charges filed as of yet.
Law enforcement sources said it is not unusual for an arrestee to be set free after 24 hours while detectives continue their investigation, in particular if the suspect is local and has ties to the community. Guffey resides in Kansas City in Platte County.
According to a review of the incident report obtained by The Landmark via a Sunshine request to the Platte County Sheriff’s Department, the investigation to this point has centered on Guffey, a PACE employee who was responsible for handling organizational finances.
Detectives for the sheriff’s department met with Ed Linnebur, executive director for PACE, on May 6 at the chamber office.
Guffey began employment with the chamber in July of 2025, according to records. Linnebur told detectives that Guffey was responsible for “handling organizational finances, including invoices, event expenditures, access to the business checking account, company ATM/credit card, and checkbook,” according to the sheriff’s department incident report.
According to the incident report, Linnebur told detectives that concerns first arose after discovering an unexplained $750 transaction to “MEND Services, ” which he later learned was associated with debt repair services.
Linnebur confronted Guffey regarding the transaction several times; however, she failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, according to the incident report.
According to the report, during a subsequent review of organizational financial records conducted with the company bookkeeper, multiple additional questionable transactions were identified beginning around February 2026. Linnebur estimated the total amount of suspicious expenditures at approximately $13,000.
Authorities say Linnebur provided investigators with bank statements, transaction summaries, and copies of checks believed to be unauthorized or unrelated to legitimate business operations. Suspicious transactions included purchases and reimbursements involving Apple services, TikTok, Target, Pizza Hut, apartment-related payments associated with Jamestown Village Apartments, cash withdrawals, and several checks written directly to Guffey for “reimbursement.”
According to the incident report, Linnebur told detectives that many transactions lacked receipts, invoices, calendar documentation, or prior authorization. He explained the organization had recently transitioned to new financial software, resulting in reporting difficulties and delayed financial reconciliation. He stated Guffey had been responsible for preparing monthly financial reports, but reports had not been completed for several months despite repeated requests, according to the police report.
Linnebur told detectives Guffey had recently exhibited unusual financial behavior inconsistent with her known income. He reported she purchased an expensive dog valued at approximately $3,000 and moved into what appeared to be an upscale apartment complex despite apparent ongoing vehicle and financial difficulties, according to the incident report.
Linnebur told detectives Guffey earned approximately $25.50 per hour and worked approximately 30–35 hours weekly.
According to the police report, Linnebur described an incident in February 2026 in which Guffey informed him her father had died and requested three days off work. Linnebur told investigators he later learned through community contacts that Guffey’s father was alive.
Linnebur stated he formally disciplined Guffey regarding the false statement and considered it a “two-strike” incident, according to the report.
Detectives questioned Linnebur regarding organizational financial controls. Linnebur stated Guffey was expected to coordinate financial oversight with the organization’s bookkeeper, however, software issues and lack of completed reports hindered oversight efforts.
Linnebur told detectives there was never any authorization for employees to use organizational funds for personal expenses, nor any agreement allowing Guffey to temporarily use business funds with repayment arrangements.
At the time of the interview with detectives, Linnebur said Guffey currently retained possession of the company laptop, checkbook, and company debit/ATM card at her residence.
Detectives requested employment records, payroll information, disciplinary documentation, and Guffey’s residential address for follow-up investigation and possible subpoenas related to financial records, according to the incident report.
Upon leaving the chamber office, detectives were informed of new information, so they returned to meet with Linnebur. Detectives say Linnebur gave them a copy of an email he had just received from Guffey in which she resigned her employment effective immediately.
A check by The Landmark of online Platte County Circuit Court records found that Guffey has been the defendant in four “rent and possession” court cases in the past year and half.
A “rent and possession” court case is a legal action initiated by a landlord to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent and to recover the money owed. Primarily used in Missouri under Chapter 535 of the state statutes, it is described as a fast-tracked process to regain possession of the property and, in many cases, obtain a judgment for back rent and legal fees.
The Landmark recently reached Guffey by phone.
“I have no comment at this time,” she said in response to questions.
