Olson says she?s cleared of charges

Mayor Mary Olson told Marion City Council members at Monday?s meeting that she was all but exonerated from any wrongdoing following an earlier meeting that morning with a representative from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Asking that her comments be included in the meeting minutes, Olson said the KBI?investigator told her he thought no further inquiries would be needed and that she should resume her campaign for mayor.

?I was told I fully cooperated and I plan to continue campaigning until Tuesday at 7 p.m.,? Olson said.

Councilor Bill Holdeman asked Olson if the city was paying her attorney?s bill following this recent news.

Olson said she would be reviewing the city?s insurance as it pertained to this type of situation.

The investigation was first discussed publicly at a special meeting of the Marion City Council March 12, two days before a candidate forum in which Olson would have debated against Councilor Steve Smith for the mayor?s seat.

The allegation concerned K.S.A. 21-4005, which addresses ?maliciously circulating false rumors? about a local business ?with intent to injure? its ?financial standing or reputation.?

City Attorney Dan Baldwin said at that time, the action was prompted by information he became aware of involving Olson and Brad and Anita Seacat, owners of Seacat Do it Best, a building supply business in Marion.

Based on that information, Baldwin turned his information over to the Kansas Attorney General?s office requesting they investigate the allegation.

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