Campos resigns from Topeka City Council

Topeka Councilman John M. Campos II said Friday he would resign his council seat, which was already in jeopardy after allegations he falsified a car insurance document.

Campos' resignation was effective 5 p.m. Friday. He made his announcement minutes before that on the steps of City Hall, alluding to the controversy that has dogged him lately.

"I've made personal mistakes these last few weeks," Campos said. "Those mistakes are my own, and I'll own up for them."

Campos declined to get specific about the allegations against him, noting they are still making their way through the legal process.

The first-term councilman faced an ouster proceeding and earlier this week entered into a diversion agreement stemming from allegations he changed the date on an insurance card to attempt to avoid punishment for driving without insurance, then shredded the card to hinder prosecution. He was scheduled to be in court Monday for a hearing on whether he should be suspended as a councilman until the ouster proceeding is finished.

Campos pre-empted that hearing Monday by announcing the end of his tenure after one year as District 2's councilman.

"It has been extremely rewarding for me to serve the people of Oakland and North Topeka," Campos said, adding that there are "many great improvements" happening in the district.

Campos said he was resigning in part because he didn't want to detract from that momentum. But he also said he was backed into a corner to some extent.

"I did not have the personal means to fight the ouster case next week," Campos said, adding that it was "a matter of not being able to afford a lawyer going forward."

Wearing a blue shirt and blazer, Campos was composed throughout his five minutes of remarks Friday. The only sign of emotional distress was one sniffle after he thanked his colleagues. He specifically mentioned Councilwoman Karen Hiller, Councilwoman Elaine Schwartz, Councilman Richard Harmon, Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz and "most especially, Mayor (Larry) Wolgast."

"It has been an honor to serve with them, and I have learned a great deal in the 13 months that I've been councilman," Campos said.

Campos said he thought he made some strides during his tenure in refocusing debate on the city budget, stabilizing the tax base and addressing empty houses. He said he regretted not doing more to foster equality of opportunity for the city's children.

"There are true social and racial disadvantages that affect youth within my district and within the entire community," Campos said. "That's something I fell short on, and that's something that really saddens me."

Campos said his future is "up in the air."

Campos, 27, was booked into the Shawnee County Jail late April 22 on felony charges of making a false writing and interference with law enforcement (evidence). Campos was released from jail on a $3,500 recognizance bond on April 23.

The Shawnee County District Attorney's Office filed documents April 21 and 22 seeking to remove Campos from his elected seat and to suspend him until that decision is made.

According to the diversion agreement, the judge is requested to freeze any further proceedings in the criminal case for 12 months. At the end of that time, the penalties for the offenses would go away, but Campos would have to seek expungement to remove the case from his record.

Campos was elected in the spring of 2013 to fill the term of District 2 representative John Alcala, who resigned to take a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives. The District 2 seat will be up for a vote next April.

Alcala, reached by telephone Friday after the announcement, said his work at the Capitol had prevented him from following the developments of Campos' political career of late. Alcala, who endorsed Campos to fill his term, didn't know he had resigned.

Campos' replacement will be the third person to fill the seat in two years, but Alcala said District 2 "will be fine."

"I always hope we can get somebody in there who does a good job and represents the people of the district," he said. "It's a good district. There are a lot of good people out there."