The US Attorney's Office in Kansas City, MO has announced the federal indictment of a Mason for embezzling $285,000 from the local York Rite bodies.
Brother McDaniel has not been tried yet. The indictments are based on an FBI investigation.
Kirk McDaniel, Jr., 74, of Prairie Village, was charged in an 18-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
McDaniel was the secretary of the York Rite Masonic Bodies in Kansas City, Mo., from June 2000 through September 2005. The fraternal organization is comprised of Oriental Commandery #35 Knights Templar, Orient Chapter #102 Royal Arch Masons, and Shekinah Council #24 Cryptic Masons. While serving as secretary, McDaniel also took over certain duties of the treasurer, including maintaining the bank accounts of each of the York Rite Masonic Bodies, writing checks, and transferring funds as needed between the accounts.
Today’s indictment alleges that McDaniel stole approximately $284,675, of which he repaid the organization approximately $105,012.
According to the indictment, McDaniel transferred funds from the York Rite Masonic Bodies bank account into a bank account he opened at Missouri Bank and Trust and into three investment accounts he opened at Edward Jones. The names on the bank account and the investment accounts were similar to the names of the legitimate accounts, the indictment says, but the transfers were made without the knowledge or authorization of the organization. McDaniel allegedly used the funds he transferred into those accounts for his personal benefit and the benefit of others.
The fraud scheme also involved several actions taken by McDaniel to conceal his thefts, the indictment says.
Brother McDaniel has not been tried yet. The indictments are based on an FBI investigation.