Key Points
- It seems likely that Stephen Wade is still in Topeka, Kansas, based on his last known residence and deep community ties.
- There is no recent public information about his current location beyond November 2023, so this is an educated guess.
Background
Stephen Wade was the city manager of Topeka, Kansas, until his termination in July 2023 after less than a year in the role. He filed a claim against the city in November 2023 seeking $100 million in damages, alleging wrongful termination due to mental health issues, while the city cited an "inappropriate relationship with a subordinate" as the reason for his firing.
Current Status
Given his strong connections to Topeka, including being a Shawnee Heights graduate and former publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal, and the lack of evidence suggesting he has moved, it appears he remains in Topeka. However, no specific updates on his whereabouts or activities have been found past November 2023.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Stephen Wade's Whereabouts
This note provides a comprehensive examination of the available information regarding Stephen Wade, the former city manager of Topeka, Kansas, and his likely current location as of April 7, 2025. The analysis is based on public records, news articles, and online profiles, aiming to address the question of where he is today with as much detail as possible.
Historical Context and Last Known Activities
Stephen Wade's tenure as Topeka city manager began in September 2022, following his role as the city's Director of Administrative and Financial Services. His appointment was marked by his deep ties to the community, including a long history with The Topeka Capital-Journal and local boards like the Topeka Community Foundation. However, his time as city manager was short-lived, ending in July 2023 when the Topeka City Council voted 10-0 to fire him for undisclosed reasons, later clarified as involving an "inappropriate relationship with a subordinate." Prior to his termination, Wade took an extended leave of absence in June 2023, citing personal reasons, and entered inpatient treatment following a reported suicide attempt.
In November 2023, Wade escalated the situation by filing a claim against the City of Topeka, demanding $100 million in damages. His attorneys, Bryan Smith and Christine Caplinger of Smith Law Firm, argued that his termination violated state and federal laws related to mental health disabilities, countering the city's allegations. This claim was a precursor to a potential lawsuit, but no public updates on the case's resolution have been found beyond that date.
Search for Recent Information
Efforts to locate recent information about Wade's whereabouts involved searching news archives, social media, and professional profiles. News articles from The Topeka Capital-Journal (Ex-Topeka city manager Stephen Wade demands $100M. City cites 'inappropriate relationship') and the City of Topeka's official website (City of Topeka announces Stephen Wade as new City Manager | City News) provided background but no updates past 2023. Searches for "Stephen Wade Topeka 2024" and "Stephen Wade vs City of Topeka update" yielded no new developments, suggesting the legal case may have concluded quietly or is ongoing without public disclosure.
His LinkedIn profile (Stephen Wade - City of Topeka Government | LinkedIn) lists his location as Topeka and his experience with the City of Topeka Government, but it does not indicate any updates to his employment status post-2023. Attempts to access further details were limited by privacy settings, and no recent activity was discernible. Similarly, searches on X for "stephen wade topeka" returned no relevant posts, indicating limited public social media presence.
Community Ties and Likelihood of Current Location
Wade's deep roots in Topeka, including his education at Shawnee Heights, long tenure in local media, and involvement with community organizations, suggest a strong likelihood he remains in the area. Articles from 2022 and 2023 consistently describe him as a Topeka resident, and there is no evidence from real estate records, news, or other public sources indicating a relocation. Given his legal action against the city, it is plausible he has stayed in Topeka to pursue the case, though no specific updates on the outcome were found.
Comparative Analysis with Other Stephen Wades
To ensure accuracy, searches for "Stephen Wade" without geographic qualifiers were conducted, revealing individuals in different fields, such as an auto center owner in St. George, Utah (Stephen Wade Auto Center | New & Used Car Dealerships in St. George, Utah), and a sports journalist (STEPHEN WADE | AP News). None matched the profile of the former Topeka city manager, reinforcing that the relevant Stephen Wade is likely still in Kansas.
Table: Summary of Key Information
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Last Known Residence | Topeka, Kansas (as of November 2023) |
Last Public Activity | Filed $100 million claim against City of Topeka in November 2023 |
Community Ties | Shawnee Heights graduate, former publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal , local board member |
Recent Updates | None found beyond November 2023, suggesting possible low profile or ongoing legal proceedings |
Likelihood of Location | High probability of remaining in Topeka, based on lack of relocation evidence |
Conclusion
Based on the available data, it is reasonable to conclude that Stephen Wade is still in Topeka, Kansas, as of April 7, 2025. His strong community ties, lack of evidence suggesting a move, and the ongoing nature of his legal claim support this assessment. However, the absence of recent public information means this is an educated guess rather than a confirmed fact.
Key Citations
