The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday in Gene Bicknell’s favor ordering that he be reimbursed for $48-plus Million wrongfully assessed by the state of Kansas’ Department of Revenue.
“Friday, May 20th, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled on the truth of my tax case. This should have never gotten to court. If only the constitutionality of the case had ever been ruled on first …. It was always seeming to me like Extortion. It included almost 500 interrogatories and a waste of clerical time; 15 years of attorney employment; and a kangaroo court – in the dead of winter – that made my wife, who was fighting cancer at the time, even more sick. And she suffered through a long trial that was not ruled on case law or Kansas law but other references as if common law. My wife, Rita, died before seeing this nightmare end. Even a rigged witness from the Dept of Vehicles was testifying. But, two appellate court decisions and finally a Supreme Court decision that wasn’t bias won. And ruled on the facts of the case. A district judge appointed by the Supreme Court ruled on every item of the case at trial and gave a sound decision. Thank you Judge Richard Smith, who said the court of Tax Appeals (now the Board of Tax Appeals) was obviously swayed, and rubber stamped the Dept. of Revenue. I am a Christian man and I hold no malice. I just regret the stress and anger witnessed by me and my wife and our associates. I wish the state of Kansas well. They actually lost many benefits, however. We did continue to create a lot of good paying jobs in Kansas even though we were being harassed by the state. They made our barn Cat Checkers famous and our dog an issue. It was a really sad time for a state that used my appeal money, that was supposed to be in escrow, to balance the budget . Thank you Mr. Brownback. I am a Kansas supporter, have businesses in Kansas, and will still continue to love the people of Kansas. Praise the Lord for Justice. This is a testimony of faith. We have a nation and states that get it wrong many times…their motivation is sometimes fed by greed and needs of money, or have objectives that put them in a position of being pushed into bad decisions. Unfortunately, that turns them away from Justice. Do we resent them? Of course we do! Persecution will not be a problem to them if they have a financial need; and they stoop to a level of making bad decisions, decisions that they rationalize for what their situation demands. Lack of funds in the state coffers even caused them to find justification for extortion. I forgive them, yet the victory and return of my money is bittersweet. The pain and anguish caused to me, my wife and family, and our associates will not ever be replaced by money. And that money will help Kansas in new jobs and to pay off financial needs for growth in our businesses. Many of my contacts and friends have been excited for me since Friday, but I can’t get excited. That money is needed for benefiting others. It’s not for me. Today is not any different for me than before this. It’s the Justice that fills my heart with joy, thanking God for being so good to me – more than I deserve. But, the money will help His cause!!! And THAT’S humbling!!! Bless you all.” – Gene Bicknell