Truth?

**Mostly true on the core facts and the filing, but the "$20 million" figure is an estimate/projection that's not fully documented, and the legal violations are alleged/disputed rather than proven.**

### Verified Elements:

- **Jane Roberts' income (2007–2014)**: Yes, documented. Whistleblower records (from former colleague Kendal Price at Major, Lindsey & Africa) show she earned **$10.3 million in commissions** on ~$13.3 million in attributed revenue from placing lawyers at top firms. Some of those firms later argued cases before the Supreme Court. This was first reported in 2023 by Business Insider and covered widely.

- **Disclosures**: Chief Justice Roberts listed his wife's employer on financial disclosure forms (as required by the Ethics in Government Act — source only, not exact amount). The complaint alleges he mislabeled commissions as "salary" in some years and omitted an equity stake in her later employer for three years (2019–2021). He later amended some forms.

- **Disbarment filing**: True. On April 22, 2026, attorney/journalist Christopher Armitage (The Existentialist Republic Substack) filed a formal disciplinary complaint with the D.C. Bar against Roberts (who is admitted there). It cites DC Rule 8.4(c) (dishonesty), alleged false statements on disclosures (18 U.S.C. § 1001), and failure to recuse in hundreds of cases involving firms that paid his household. He encourages others to file similar complaints.

### The "$20 Million" Claim:

This comes from the documented ~$10.3M (2007–2014) + an **estimate** of another ~$11.8M+ for later years based on averages and firm growth. It's not a confirmed total — Jane Roberts' later income (after leaving MLA) isn't publicly detailed due to disclosure rules. Fact-checkers like Snopes treat the full amount as unrateable/unverified.

### Context on Ethics/Recusal:

- Spousal income from firms with Supreme Court business has been a long-running controversy for several justices (not just Roberts).

- Federal law requires recusal for financial conflicts (28 U.S.C. § 455), but enforcement is limited — Supreme Court justices self-police to a large degree.

- No indication yet of formal discipline, impeachment, or removal. Disbarment of a sitting Chief Justice would be unprecedented and extremely unlikely without stronger evidence or broader consensus.

The image is promotional material for Armitage's Substack post — it's advocacy framed as journalism. The underlying $10M+ commissions and the recent disbarment complaint are real, but the narrative pushes a stronger "corruption" interpretation with extrapolated numbers. It's a legitimate ethics debate, not settled "gotcha" proof of criminality.

Henry McClure

785.383.9994 

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E. coli closes swimming beach at Kansas lake https://share.google/llcVVwOOrpaehJp2E

Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
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Noted ✅️

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued an urgent cybersecurity advisory warning public and corporate users about a sophisticated phishing platform named Kali365. This "Phishing-as-a-Service" toolkit specifically targets Microsoft 365 environments—including Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive accounts—allowing attackers to bypass traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA) and gain persistent control. [1, 2, 3, 4] 

------------------------------

## 🛡️ How the "Kali365" Attack Works

Unlike traditional phishing schemes that seek to steal a victim's password, Kali365 abuses Microsoft's legitimate OAuth device registration workflow. [5, 6] 

   1. The Phishing Lure: Victims receive a highly convincing email designed to look like a trusted cloud collaboration or document-sharing service. The lure often mimics fake Microsoft Teams message notifications or secure business voicemail alerts. [2, 7, 8, 9] 

   2. The Device Code Trick: The email displays a specific alphanumeric code and instructs the recipient to visit a legitimate Microsoft device verification page (such as ://microsoft.com) to insert the code. [2, 7] 

   3. The Token Hijacking: Because the user enters the code on a real, official Microsoft page, the victim unknowingly authorizes a new device connection. The Kali365 platform instantly intercepts the generated OAuth authentication tokens. [2, 3, 7, 10] 

   4. Bypassing MFA: With these stolen session tokens, cybercriminals maintain persistent access to the victim's inbox, files, and chat records. They can log in freely without ever needing the account password or triggering subsequent MFA prompts. [3, 4, 7, 10] 

------------------------------

## 🛑 FBI Recommended Mitigation Steps

Since traditional MFA is insufficient against session token theft, the FBI advises organizations and users to apply a layered security approach: [3, 4] 

* Enforce Conditional Access Policies: Enterprise administrators should create strict policies within Microsoft Entra ID to block or limit device code flows for standard users. [6, 7, 10] 

* Disable Cross-Device Auth Transfers: Block the setting that permits users to seamlessly pass or transfer authenticated sessions from personal computers over to mobile devices. [3, 10] 

* Protect Emergency Logins: When disabling device code flows company-wide, ensure break-glass or emergency-access admin accounts are excluded to prevent complete system lockouts. [3, 10] 

* Audit Active Sessions: Regularly inspect enterprise access logs for unauthorized active sessions, unfamiliar device footprints, or abnormal geolocation logins. [7, 8] 

------------------------------

## 📝 What to Do If You're Targeted

If you encounter a suspicious device-link email or suspect your account has been breached, the FBI requests that you file an official cybersecurity incident report through the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). [3, 7] 

When submitting, provide as much evidence as possible, including full email header data, the unredacted email body, any unauthorized devices added to your Microsoft account, and the timestamps or IP addresses associated with suspicious login attempts. [3, 7] 

[1] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/fox5dc/posts/the-fbi-is-alerting-the-public-to-a-new-cyber-threat-involving-a-phishingasaserv/1464038702427352/)

[2] [https://www.livenowfox.com](https://www.livenowfox.com/news/fbi-alert-outlook-onedrive)

[3] [https://www.fox10phoenix.com](https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/fbi-alert-outlook-onedrive)

[4] [https://invenioit.com](https://invenioit.com/security/fbi-microsoft-365-phishing-scam/)

[5] [https://www.inc.com](https://www.inc.com/amaya-nichole/fbi-just-issued-urgent-warning-anyone-using-microsoft-over-new-phishing-scheme/91351360)

[6] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/fox29philadelphia/posts/the-fbi-is-warning-the-public-about-a-new-phishing-scam-called-kali365-that-allo/1448599040635887/)

[7] [https://www.govtech.com](https://www.govtech.com/security/fbi-issues-scam-warning-for-users-of-microsoft-outlook-teams)

[8] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/FOX10Phoenix/posts/the-fbi-is-warning-the-public-about-a-new-phishing-scam-called-kali365-that-allo/1324814363186020/)

[9] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/wfaa/posts/fbi-warning-%EF%B8%8F-a-new-phishing-tool-can-bypass-microsoft-365-multi-factor-authenti/1460840062746813/)

[10] [https://www.kark.com](https://www.kark.com/news/national-news/cyber-attackers-are-hijacking-microsoft-outlook-teams-and-365-log-ins-fbi-says/)

Henry McClure

785.383.9994 

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Credit Rating History =

Topeka’s Credit Ratings, Bonds, and Borrowing Power (2005–2026): Impact of Leadership Turnover

Topeka transitioned to the council-manager system in 2005 amid hopes for more professional, stable administration. However, the high turnover in city managers and interims (detailed in prior timelines) coincided with a period of financial management challenges, including reliance on reserves, budget pressures, and modest economic growth. While the city’s credit ratings have remained relatively stable in the upper-medium grade range, the frequent leadership changes likely contributed to a more conservative, reactive fiscal posture that has constrained bolder long-term planning and potentially increased borrowing costs indirectly.

Credit Rating History

Topeka’s general obligation (GO) bonds — backed by the full faith and credit of the city — have generally held steady ratings:

• Moody’s Investors Service: Long-term issuer/GO rating consistently at Aa3 (upper-medium grade) in available records from the early 2010s through 2024–2026. This was affirmed in multiple bond issuances (e.g., 2020 utility bonds, 2024 reviews). Aa3 reflects a strong but not elite capacity to meet obligations, with some vulnerability to economic shifts.
• S&P Global Ratings: AA long-term rating with stable outlook for GO bonds in multiple issuances (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025). This has been consistent in rating reports, supported by very strong reserves and financial policies, though tempered by an adequate economy and weak debt position relative to revenue.
• Fitch Ratings: Limited specific mentions for the city proper, but aligned with stable investment-grade assessments.

Key observation: No major downgrades tied directly to city manager turnover appear in public records. Ratings have held despite leadership churn, thanks to strong reserve policies (e.g., targeting 15–20% unassigned fund balance), sales tax revenue stability, and conservative debt practices. However, the lack of upward movement (e.g., to Aa2 or AA+) amid national peers’ improvements may reflect the cumulative drag of inconsistency.

State-level Kansas ratings (Aa2 from Moody’s with recent positive outlook in 2026) provide a supportive backdrop, but city-specific factors dominate local borrowing.

Bond Issuances and Debt Trends (2005–2026)

• Debt Levels: Total bonded indebtedness grew from ~$298 million in 2013 to ~$524.5 million by end of 2024. GO debt (core taxpayer-backed) has fluctuated but trended downward in recent years (e.g., decreased by ~$4M or 2.9% in 2024; down significantly from peaks). Revenue bonds (utility-backed) increased more substantially.
• Major Issuances: Frequent GO and utility revenue bonds for infrastructure (streets, water/sewer upgrades, levees, etc.). Examples include 2021 refunding/improvement bonds (~$38M total), 2023-A GO bonds, 2024-A, and 2025 series. These were routinely rated AA/Aa3, allowing market access at reasonable rates.
• Debt Limits and Capacity: Kansas law caps GO debt at 30% of assessed valuation. Topeka has stayed well under this (e.g., ~27.9% usage in recent years), preserving borrowing room. Legal debt margin remains healthy.
• Borrowing Costs: Stable ratings mean competitive interest rates, but not the lowest possible. Frequent leadership transitions may have led to more refundings (to manage costs) rather than transformative projects. Short-term temporary notes have also been used for interim financing.

Impacts of the Revolving Door on Finances and Borrowing Power

The ~10–12 leadership transitions since 2005 (5 permanents + multiple interims) created measurable drags:

• Disrupted Planning and Institutional Knowledge: New managers (and interims) require time to assess finances, often leading to short-term budgeting. This contributed to patterns of drawing down reserves for operating deficits (e.g., projected $15M+ gaps in 2027 discussions) rather than structural reforms. Long-term capital plans (5-year CIP) exist but face execution risks with each change.
• Reactive vs. Proactive Management: Firings/resignations (e.g., terminations of Bonaparte and Wade) create uncertainty. Rating agencies note strong policies but highlight adequate (not exceptional) budgetary performance and economic base. Turnover likely amplified reliance on one-time fixes, reserves, and sales tax (vulnerable to economic cycles).
• Staff and Morale Effects: Repeated onboarding erodes expertise in finance departments, potentially leading to higher internal costs or missed efficiencies. This indirectly weakens credit narratives around "very strong" management.
• Borrowing Power Outcomes:
  • Not Weaker Overall: Access to markets remains solid; no defaults or near-misses. Debt service coverage stays satisfactory.
  • Opportunity Cost: Stable but not upgraded ratings mean slightly higher interest costs than top-tier peers. Inability to pursue more aggressive growth-oriented debt (e.g., for major economic development) due to perceived instability may have limited diversification beyond government/services.
  • Current Strain: Recent budgets show pressure — using reserves, personnel costs rising, revenue lagging in some projections. This echoes national findings that high municipal turnover correlates with weaker long-term fiscal outcomes.

No Bright Spots in This Context: While ratings held, the "consistently inconsistent" leadership has reinforced stagnation. A more stable executive team could have built stronger reserves, diversified revenue, or executed visionary infrastructure/economic plans to boost the tax base and ratings. Instead, Topeka maintains a solid-but-not-outstanding profile — adequate for survival but insufficient for breaking out of slow-growth patterns.

In summary, turnover has not caused a credit crisis but has contributed to a ceiling on potential. Borrowing power is intact yet underutilized for transformative change. For the absolute latest, review the City’s most recent ACFR or rating reports on EMMA (MSRB) 

why spend the money?

Topeka’s Economic Stagnation: A Balanced Exploration

Topeka, Kansas, as the state capital, has long relied on government, services, education, healthcare, and some manufacturing/logistics. While it offers affordability and a central location, the city and its metro area show persistent signs of economic stagnation relative to faster-growing U.S. regions.

Population Trends

Topeka’s population has been largely flat or slightly declining for years:

• City proper: Peaked around 127,000–128,000 in the early 2010s; ~125,500 in recent estimates (2024–2025), with annual changes often near zero or negative (-0.15% to -0.65% in recent years).
• Metro/Shawnee County: Modest gains since 2020 (~2,000 new residents reported in some local updates), but overall long-term growth is minimal compared to national averages.

Kansas as a state has seen slow growth (~0.4% annual average since 2000), with domestic out-migration in many periods. Topeka struggles to attract and retain younger workers and families.

Economic Output and Jobs

• GDP: Topeka MSA real GDP was ~$12.2 billion (chained 2017 dollars) in 2023, showing modest growth from ~$11.7 billion in 2020 but limited acceleration.
• Employment: Government and services dominate (>50% of the economy). Unemployment hovers around 3.5–4.0% recently (close to or slightly below national averages), with stable but not booming job growth.
• Recent BLS data shows small fluctuations in sectors like manufacturing (stable but with some declines) and trade/transportation.

Local leaders note ~6% local economic growth since 2020 in some metrics, alongside targeted wins like logistics/distribution hubs (Walmart, Target, etc.) and financial services.

Income, Poverty, and Affordability

• Median household income: ~$56,956 (2024 data), below Kansas and national averages.
• Poverty rate: ~15.7% in Topeka (higher than Kansas ~10.9% and U.S. ~12.5%).
• Strengths: Lower cost of living and housing affordability compared to many metros, which some see as a draw (e.g., "Choose Topeka" relocation incentives).

Key Challenges Contributing to Stagnation

• Heavy Reliance on Government: As a capital city, public sector jobs provide stability but limit private-sector dynamism.
• Slow Growth and Out-Migration: Limited high-wage private industry diversity; challenges retaining talent.
• Housing and Infrastructure: Demand outpaces supply in some areas, with calls for more affordable units.
• Broader Perceptions: Rankings like WalletHub have placed Topeka lower on quality of life, education/health, despite affordability. High turnover in city leadership (as discussed previously) can hinder consistent long-term planning.

Kansas overall ranks mid-to-lower in private-sector job and wage growth in some analyses, with Topeka mirroring these state-level trends.

Positive Developments and Efforts

• Targeted Growth: Focus on logistics, food processing, financial services, and aerospace. Recent wins include Magellan Financial expansion (175 jobs expected, significant economic impact).
• Rankings: Topeka ranked #5 nationally for economic strength in Area Development’s 2024 report.
• Initiatives: Downtown revitalization, affordable housing funds, business incentives via GO Topeka/JEDO, and relocation programs. Infrastructure projects continue.
• Assets: Low business costs, central U.S. location, and institutions like Washburn University.

Outlook

Topeka isn’t in freefall — it has stability, affordability, and pockets of progress — but it lacks the rapid private-sector momentum seen in places like Kansas City or Wichita suburbs. Breaking stagnation likely requires sustained focus on diversifying the economy, improving quality-of-life factors (e.g., housing, amenities), and consistent leadership to execute long-term visions.

Like the "struggling flower on a vine" metaphor from our earlier discussion, Topeka has deep roots and potential but needs consistent nurturing to fully bloom. Local organizations like the Greater Topeka Partnership are actively working on this. What specific aspect (jobs, housing, etc.) would you like to dive deeper into?