<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603901453104.png" alt="&nbsp;O'Donnell wiping away tears following a censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission last month. At that time, he refused to apologize." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;O'Donnell wiping away tears following a censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission last month. At that time, he refused to apologize.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O'Donnell is finally stepping down for his involvement in a plot to smear the mayor of Wichita.Over the past two weeks, the Office of the Sedgwick County District Attorney has conducted an investigation to
determine whether O’Donnell and two other individuals
committed misconduct sufficient to warrant initiation of ouster proceedings pursuant to state law, according to a statement released Friday afternoon from District Attorney Marc Bennett.&nbsp;The alleged conduct involved Commissioner O’Donnell’s role and involvement in funding, and
developing a political advertisement aired on Youtube and Facebook that contained misleading
statements regarding mayoral candidate, Brandon Whipple. The facts surrounding the video
advertisement are widely known in the public domain having been reported on several occasions
by most local television stations, radio stations, newspapers and other media outlets. The facts
contained in the false political advertisement will not be specifically referenced further herein.
After complaints were raised about the truthfulness of the advertisement, the video continued to
air.
The investigation conducted by the District Attorney also addressed the efforts of Commissioner
O’Donnell and others to cover up the fact that they participated in the development of the
political advertisement and deflect blame onto another individual. The advertisement was funded
in such a manner as to conceal the identity of those involved.
There is currently civil litigation pending regarding this matter. The Office of the District
Attorney is not a party to that litigation and is not involved in those legal proceedings.
Upon the conclusion of our investigation, the District Attorney has concluded there is evidence
which indicates ouster proceedings are appropriate against Commissioner O’Donnell.
The District Attorney notified legal counsel for Commissioner O’Donnell that the District
Attorney intended to initiate a legal proceeding for forfeiture of public office through ouster
proceedings the week of Monday, November 16, 2020. In response to this communication,
Commissioner O’Donnell, through counsel, indicated his intent to resign from his position prior
to 5:00 p.m. November 13, 2020 effectively terminating the need for official ouster proceedings.
The Office of the District Attorney received confirmation that the Commissioner tendered his
resignation before 5:00 p.m. Friday.Additional information regarding the other two elected office holders who were also the subject
of this investigation will be made public next week.

DA investigation forces commissioner to finally resign