Kansas City’s mayor pro tem is under federal investigation over allegations her city-employee husband solicited contributions for her prior mayoral campaign from people seeking permits from the city, according to a Kansas City news station.

Communications between city hall members and the city’s legal department obtained by Fox4kc allegedly show Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw’s husband, Public Works Director Michael Shaw, requested funds for her campaign from people with pending permits from the city, reportedly from his personal email account. 

Documents also provided to Fox4kc are said to show contracts awarded to people who donated to Parks-Shaw’s campaign.

“Yeah, that’s not true,” Parks-Shaw told the station about the allegations.

Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw

The station reports it has “spoken with five people who sat for interviews with the FBI.” 

“I suspect there is more than enough evidence in order for them to file charges,” federal defense attorney Greg Watt told the station. 

Fox4kc says it confirmed with City Manager Mario Vasquez on Wednesday that the FBI started investigative interviews regarding Parks-Shaw and her husband in January 2025. The city also received a grand jury subpoena for records of contracts and vendors six months ago, Vasquez told the outlet.

“I’m in a difficult spot, given the relationship with the [Public Works] director and mayor pro tem,” Vasquez said.

Despite the subpoena, Mayor Quinton Lucas told Fox4kc he wasn’t aware of the ongoing investigation of his mayor pro tem. 

“I would want to learn a lot more before I discuss anything, but that surprises me, and I hope to learn more very soon,” he said. 

One Kansas City resident questioned Lucas’ proclaimed ignorance of the investigation. 

“At least five city employees have been interviewed and a federal grand jury subpoena served, and Mayor Lucas doesn’t know anything about it,” the skeptical resident told The Heartlander. 

“It’s a problem if he’s telling the truth. It’s a problem if he’s telling a lie.”