KC Reporter

A Kansas City, Mo., police officer, Aaron Wayne McKie, found himself facing serious charges after being indicted for a charity fraud scheme that involved misappropriating over $300,000 in donations for personal expenses. McKie, who has been with the Kansas City Police Department for 24 years, allegedly used funds from the anti-crime charity he ran for his personal gain.

According to the federal indictment, McKie served as the president of Mid-America Crime Free, Inc. (MACF), a non-profit organization, from 2009 to 2023. The indictment revealed that McKie devised a scheme to defraud MACF and its donors, starting in July 2009 and continuing until October 2023. It was alleged that out of the $387,620 donated to MACF, McKie spent at least $320,060 for personal expenses.

The indictment outlined how McKie allegedly used the charity's funds for personal purposes, including significant amounts on travel, entertainment, restaurants, bars, retail, luxury items, transfers to personal accounts, cash, household expenses, and even personal tax payments.

The charges against McKie include 14 counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. However, it is important to note that these charges are merely accusations at this stage, and McKie is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney and was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department. The indictment and subsequent arrest of McKie serve as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in charitable organizations to ensure that donations are used for their intended purposes.