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Former Grandview Mayor Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud

The former mayor of Grandview, Mo., pleaded guilty to wire fraud at U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday.

Stephen Dennis’ voice rarely rose above a whisper as he told District Judge Howard Sachs he is guilty of taking two checks worth $35,000 from the International House Of Prayer for an illegal charity he’d set up. As part of an agreement with the U.S. Attorney, Dennis stipulated he used the money for himself and family. The organization was purported to be raising money for the poor and elderly in Grandview, Mo.

Court documents showed Dennis created an organization called “Matters of the Heart” in 2011. Dennis admitted that two men listed on a board of directors didn’t agree to serve.  

As part of the 15-page plea agreement, the former mayor has ten days to disclose finances and he will have to submit to a polygraph test if federal prosecutors think he’s not being truthful with them about his financial assets. The deal has him serving one year and one day in prison, although the judge isn’t bound to that.

Until sentencing, Dennis is free on bond.

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