Ex-BPU official Marc Conklin commits suicide

Marc Conklin, the former chief administrative officer for the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities, committed suicide at his home last night. The Kansas City Kansan reported the story first early this morning. A BPU spokesman confirmed the story to me this morning. In October, a Wyandotte County grand jury indicted Conklin and Rodney L. Turner, a 68-year-old lawyer who contracted with the utility, on charges of stealing more than $400,000 from the water and electric company.

BPU General Manager Don Gray issued this statement.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Marc Conklin and extend our sympathy and condolences to his family. He was a valued colleague within the BPU family and friend to many within the community, and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.

A spokesman with the Kansas City, Kansas, Police told me that officers responded to a shooting/shots fired call in the 3100 block of North 128th Street at 6:40 a.m. The victim was dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. Officer Troy Rice wouldn’t identify the shooting victim until the family has been identified.

KCK Police released this statement at 12:40 p.m.:

On Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at about 0641 hours, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department responded to the 3100 Block of N. 128th St. on a shooting call. Upon arrival, officers located a white male in his early forties, dead inside the residence.

Next of kin has been notified. The deceased individual has been identified as Marc D. Conklin.

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Major Case Unit is currently conducting a death investigation in regards to this incident.

Update (3:53 p.m., Wednesday, March 25): I just spoke with Nathan F. Garrett, one of Marc Conklin’s attorneys. He issued this statement:

Marc was a friend and a good man. This is a horrible tragedy. March had many things going on in his life beyond his criminal case. While we were confident about proving his innocence, our interest now rests solely with his family.

I’ll keep updating the story as I get more info.