Years can't tame political drama of KHP's hefty cash seizure from Topeka woman

Barbara Reese’s claim Kansas Highway Patrol troopers unjustifiably seized thousands of dollars in cash from her nearly a quarter-century ago gained unexpected traction in state’s political system only to be dashed — just short of redemption — by Gov. Jeff Colyer.

Understanding of the case, which began with a traffic stop during August 1995 in Wyandotte County, has been blurred by time and mangled by public documents with conflicting information. At this point, there isn’t even consensus about how much money was at stake. Reese, a longtime Topeka resident, said $17,600 was taken from her. A judge pegged the figure at $15,600. The KHP asserted it was closer to $14,900.

Political interest in the case took on new relevance amid bipartisan apprehension in the Kansas Legislature about law enforcement’s penchant for seizing cash and other assets from Kansans, even when the property owner was never charged with a crime.

The situation with Reese would have received little notice except for persistent advocacy on her behalf by Topeka legislators, the aggressive reaction by KHP leadership and the governor’s explanation of his line-item veto of a budget provision granting $11,800 in compensation to the elderly woman.

Read more: http://www.cjonline.com/news/20180526/years-cant-tame-political-drama-of-khps-hefty-cash-seizure-from-topeka-woman