LAWRENCE, Kan. — The mayor of Lawrence resigned from the position on Wednesday, August 12, saying that the “last 48 hours have taken a tremendous toll on me personally.”
The Lawrence Journal World reports Mayor Jeremy Farmer has stepped down from his position as executive director of Just Food, which reportedly owes $50,000 in federal payroll taxes.
Farmer says Just Food recently discovered that several payroll tax payments had not been made, and the missed payroll taxes are part of the reason for his resignation. He denies any intentional wrongdoing.
Kristi Henderson, president of Just Food’s board of directors, says the nonprofit has about a $50,000 federal tax liability, and Just Food leaders are investigating whether there’s any tax liability due to the state of Kansas.
Henderson says there’s no indication money was misappropriated, and the problem appears to be a lack of attention to detail.
On Tuesday, August 18, the Lawrence City Commission selected commissioner Mike Amyx as the next mayor.
