Jaime Guillen announced as director of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department following Dorch’s “targeted” resignation

Kansas City officials have announced Jaime Guillen as the new head of the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department after Andrea Dorch’s resignation. Guillen is the first Latino director since 2010 to join the city. 

Guillen has worked with the Jackson County Government since 2007 and as the County’s Chief Compliance Review Officer since 2020.

During his time, Guillen created an electronic Affirmative Action reporting process for the city and also assisted in the county’s development of their MBE/WBE program. According to Guillen, he wants to reduce barriers and make doing business in the city easier.

“It is my goal to ensure our citizens can live in a city free of discrimination and that our small businesses are afforded fair and equitable contracting opportunities,” says Guillen.

Former director Dorch resigned from her position in April after an approximate $11,000 investigation of her residence. She claims the investigation was conducted after strongly advocating for minority workers in the Northland’s construction of Meta. 

In January, investigators spent two weeks outside of the Lee’s Summit residence and followed her to the city hall parking garage. Dorch felt she was followed but didn’t receive confirmation until May.

Dorch completed a background check before stepping into the director position of the CREO Department. Her Lee’s Summit residence was disclosed in 2021 as well as her Kansas City house and two vehicles.

For costly projects, the city must include and report a number of MBE/WBE contractors. On April 6, Dorch released a report documenting council members and City Manager Brian Platt insisting she “eliminate the normal requirements for reporting.” Platt asked Dorch to resign on April 7.