21-05-2025
Carl Junction City Council discuss ethics complaint against mayor
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — An ethics complaint against the mayor of Carl Junction was front and center during Tuesday night's city council meeting (5/20).
The complaint was recently filed against CJ Mayor Mike Moss by council member James Shanks.
Moss is accused of repeatedly referring to female city employees as 'Steve's harem' — referring to City Administrator, Steve Lawver.
City Attorney, Mike Talley said Tuesday night, the city has received four more complaints against Moss from city employees, and that the best course of action would be to have a due process hearing.
Talley has also spoken to Nate Dally with Lauber Municipal Law about taking on the role of outside counsel for the city.
Dally, of course, resigned last year as city attorney in Carthage during its turmoil.
A decision from Lauber could come this week.
A former city employee addressed the council during tonight's public comments portion of the meeting.
'As a citizen of Carl Junction for 17 years, as well as a former employee of the city and a woman, I can only hope that you guys do not take these comments or the disrespect towards these women and the employees of our city lightly. In doing so, I can only hope that you see that this is not just a one-time thing, but a continuous issue, and that you take the next step in the right direction for the sake of our community,' said Former CJ City Employee, Brandy Castlebury.
Moss, who continues to decline to comment, has hired William Fleischaker as his attorney.
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