Hearne: Whatever Happened To The Hereford House Pyro?

Time flies when you’re having fun…

That said, chances are, for  convicted Hereford House honcho Rod Anderson it’s been crawling…slowly.

That’s because 10 years ago, Anderson was sentenced to 15 years slam time for setting the original Hereford House downtown ablaze. That after launching failed eateries in both Westport and Lawrence and the downtown location was a run down money loser.

So heralded was Anderson as a civic leader at the time, the judge who sent him away all but apologized to him at at his sentencing.

That is, until prosecutor Jess Michaelson put things in perspective by chastising Anderson for not taking a plea deal and saving taxpayers the expense of trying him for five years. And for not admitting his guilt, and continuing to profess his innocence years after his dastardly deed.

The “funniest:” thing I recall:

When Anderson sent the dudes in to torch the place, he told them how to disable the antiquated burglar and fire alarm. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to Anderson, a Hereford House staffer had recently installed a state-of-the-art alarm that busted them royally.

Anyhoo, while Anderson was trying to wriggle out of  his conviction, he got legions of civic leaders to write letters to the judge about what a prince among men he was.

And when he tried to appeal his sentence two years later, it was revealed he’d injected nearly $400 grand into the dilapidated, old building and tried to collect $2.4 million from the insurance company.

Not the stuff civic leaders normally do.

But wait, now that I’m back in KC, I went to the popular Shawnee Hereford House to get an update on Anderson. After all, 10 years into a 15 year sentence – maybe being a boy scout in prison – was he’d be able to secure some sort of parole deal.

Or maybe not.

Because Anderson was “sentenced without parole.” Meaning he’s got like five more years before his get outta jail free card matures.

Shortly after Anderson’s prison time began, KCC reported his wife Camellia had taken the Hereford helm and was running things. Yet some woman named Mary Holland is identified online as the owner?

Calls to Camellia at various Hereford Houses and its corporate office were not returned.

However you cut the cake, it looks like Rod will be dining on taxpayers a while longer.

That said, a source who asked not to be identified, said Rod might be working on some sort of “compassionate release” program. However, “in practice, the Parole Board only releases prisoners on compassionate release if they are seriously ill and unlikely to recover.”

Attempts to contact Anderson and the Arkansas facility he was sent to were unsuccessful.

Hey look, I’m no crime expert, but this seems like a good example of crime not paying.

And with all the Biden types running loose – seemingly unpunished – it’s kinda refreshing,

For the record, Anderson always seemed like a decent bloke, who might have been involved with unsavory types who forced him into the desperation move he stands convicted of.

The $64 billion question: Would Anderson now, at long last, admit he is guilty?