A NOW-FORMER EMPLOYEE IS PERSON OF INTEREST IN CASE
What officials are calling “suspicious expenditures” at the Parkville Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development (PACE) are being investigated, and a now-former employee is listed as a suspect in an incident report obtained by The Landmark.
The employee, Kalynn Guffey, age 31, was arrested and booked into custody for a time on Wednesday, May 6. She was booked on a 24-hour hold before being released as the investigation continues.
It is important to emphasize that Guffey has not been charged with a crime as of this writing, and authorities say the matter is still under investigation.
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.
At issue is an amount estimated at $13,000 by PACE officials.
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.
REACTION
FROM CHAMBER
On Tuesday afternoon, The Landmark spoke with Linnebur, the PACE executive director, by phone.
Linnebur said “recently as a result of regular review of financials,” some “financial irregularities” were discovered. He said the chamber’s board reviewed the issues and “has made changes in organization and operations” and has operations on a regular review “to reduce any chance of these irregularities happening in the future.”
Linnebur said the organization is “trying to make sure we are moving forward on a solid foundation.”
Linnebur confirmed that Guffey is no longer employed at the chamber.
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 also reached Guffey by phone Tuesday afternoon.
“I have no comment at this time,” she said in response to questions.
