Tempe Police Question Former Officials After Threat Triggers Council Evacuation

Tempe police have been investigating a social media post that led to the evacuation of City Council chambers in August, questioning at least two former city officials as part of their inquiry. The investigation was detailed in a police report obtained by 12News.

The evacuation occurred when police evacuated council members and 75 other individuals from the City Chambers due to what they described as safety concerns and an “imminent threat that could be similar to the explosion scene in the animated video.” According to the police report, this threat was allegedly conveyed through a “Game of Thrones” video meme.

Kathleen Tierney, 56, was arrested in September at her home in Tucson. She previously served as the executive director of the Pat Tillman Foundation and worked as a manager for Cox Communications. Police linked Tierney’s Facebook profile to a widely shared “Game of Thrones” meme featuring Queen Cersei watching a green fireball consume her enemies. The meme was associated with a comment on Councilman Randy Keating’s Facebook page, which included the message “Konner Culver watching tonight's council meeting.”

County attorney weighs charges

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is currently evaluating whether to proceed with the charges recommended by Tempe police. The potential charges include:

• A felony charge of "computer tampering," which prohibits "recklessly using a computer, computer system or network to engage in a scheme or course of conduct that is directed at another person and that seriously alarms, torments, threatens or terrorizes the person."
• Two misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and threatening/intimidating.

'Meme sole grounds for arrest'

Tierney’s attorney, Booker T. Evans Jr., has criticized the arrest, stating:

“It appears that Tempe's law enforcement group acted without first investigating to see if there were grounds to make an arrest. “There was no incriminating evidence found on any of Ms. Tierney’s devices. The supplemental report produced by Tempe police is also void of any evidence of a crime. “What we have now is the original meme from a television show from 8 years ago as the sole grounds for Ms. Tierney’s arrest. That would not seem to be solid grounds for charges to be brought against Ms. Tierney.”

Post on councilman's page

The police investigation was triggered by a comment on Councilman Randy Keating’s Facebook page by a profile named “Kadi Marie.” The comment included the “Game of Thrones” meme. Keating reported the post before the start of the council meeting on Aug. 28. “Kadi Marie” posted several other comments critical of the city government during the same week the council meeting was scheduled.

'Absolutely a joke'

According to records obtained from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Tempe police connected Tierney to the “Kadi Marie” profile. Tierney used the name “Kadi” in her professional life. In an interview with police before her arrest, Tierney said: “That was just absolutely a joke… It was just a picture. I didn’t mean to threaten anyone. I never would.” She mentioned she knew Keating was a “Game of Thrones” fan and has a dog named Cersei. “It was the worst joke ever, apparently,” she said. Tierney denied knowing the identity of “Konner Culver.”

Who is ‘Konner Culver’?

Councilman Keating told police that “there was speculation that ‘Konner Culver’ could be a city employee with insider knowledge.” “Culver” was a frequent online commenter on Tempe city leadership. According to the police report, “Konner Culver” was believed to be former deputy city manager Steven Methvin, who left the city government in 2022 and is now living in Oregon. In an interview with police, Methvin did not openly admit or deny being the account holder for Konner Culver.

130 calls to former city manager

The police report also ties Tierney to former Tempe City Manager Andrew Ching, now the town manager in Paradise Valley. Ching left his job in Tempe in 2023. According to the report, data from Tierney's phone shows 130 calls to a number registered to Ching during the week of the August council meeting. Ching confirmed to police that he and Tierney had been close friends since college, 36 years ago. Tierney referred to their long friendship during her police interview.

Ching: 'Joke poorly timed'

According to Tierney, Ching responded that her “joke was poorly timed and recommended she take the post down, which she did.” Ching confirmed a conversation the night of the evacuation about the post "being in bad taste." Ching denied ever seeing the social media post. The report says Ching picked up Tierney at Tempe police headquarters after she had been transported there from Tucson. Ching did not respond to a request for comment.

Tempe: Investigation kept confidential

The City of Tempe provided this response:

“The police investigation was kept confidential. Councilmembers and city leadership were not aware of any connection until the case was closed and the report was made available.”

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