Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison resigns

[proud2BlibKansan]

Source: Kansas City Star


Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison announced his resignation Friday.

Standing outside his office, Morrison said the scandal that began Sunday led many to stop believing in him. He said he was resigning, effective Jan. 31, to preserve the public confidence in the office of attorney general.

Calls for Morrison’s resignation built this week after news of his two-year affair with a former employee surfaced, along with allegations that he harassed the woman and tried to use her to meddle in the Johnson County District Attorney’s office, now headed by Phill Kline.

Morrison has acknowledged the affair, but denied the other allegations.

more . . .

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/403950.html

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Text of Morrison's statement

Here's the text of Attorney General Paul Morrison's statement as provided by his office:

"I have spent my entire career and most of my life in public service. First, as a line prosecutor for eight years, then for eighteen years as Johnson County District Attorney. And now as Attorney General. My priority has never been politics. It has always been to do a good job for the people I serve.

"Throughout my career, I have always fought for justice as a prosecutor. I’ve represented the victims and their families in their search for justice. I’ve held others accountable for their actions, and now I must be held accountable for my mistakes. Many people feel betrayed by my actions. And they have every right to feel that way.

"I’ve made mistakes in my personal life, but I have always obeyed our laws and done the right thing as a professional.

"I ran for Attorney General because I believed Kansans deserved a prosecutor dedicated to putting criminals behind bars, not someone preoccupied with politics.

"The Kansas Office of the Attorney General does so much to protect Kansas families and enforce the laws of this state. During this first year, I done everything I can to rebuild this office.

"In just one year, we have accomplished so much. We got the office back on track, started a domestic violence unit, cracked down on cyber crime and refocused the office on the basics of law enforcement. I have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful, hard working Kansans and law enforcement officers.

"Because of my actions in my personal life, many people have stopped believing in me which is damaging the office, my staff and the State.

"My actions caused pain and sadness to many people I love. I have been working for some time to get right with God, get right with my family and get right with friends and address my personal problems—and I will continue to do so.

"In order to preserve the public’s confidence in this office, today I am announcing my resignation as Attorney General effective Friday, January 31st, 2008.

"After careful thought and deliberation, I have concluded that my resignation is in the best long-term interests of the people of Kansas.

"Not because I have ever done anything contrary to the laws of this state or the ethical standards of my profession, but because law enforcement should be the focus of this office, not my personal life.

"I’ve always been a fighter. I’ve never backed down from challenges. I have great faith in our system of justice and believe the truth ultimately comes out. And it will in this case.

"I pledge to spend the next month working with the staff of this office to ensure a smooth transition. I am proud to have provided leadership to this office and I am confident my dedicated team will continue to do great things for the people of Kansas."

http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/8956&time=1197676691

[rockybelt]

4. ADIOS

M.F!!!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Don't let the door hit ya

I do feel very sorry for his wife and kids. They must be in agony.

[greymattermom]

2. phone calls

I hope they'll stop those horrible phone calls now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. That guy is a frootloop

He is in San Diego and I have several friends there. I asked them to see what they could find out about him. Have you seen his website?

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Kick so more DUers see this really bad news.

And let this be a lesson to you when a Republican wants to switch parties.

[rodeodance]

7. see here--he is the one who is investigting planned parenthood for years

Until today, Morrison’s office said he wasn’t considering resignation, and he appeared to be digging in to defend himself. He asked the state’s judicial Disciplinary Administrator, who oversees complaints against attorneys, to investigate.

But this afternoon, he acknowledged that the scandal was taking its toll.

For now, anyway, investigations into the allegations are likely to continue. Kline plans to hire a special prosecutor to investigate potentially criminal allegations that Morrison meddled with two cases — one a lawsuit filed by eight former DA employees, and another Kline’s investigation of Planned Parenthood. The state’s judicial Disciplinary Administrator will investigate whether Morrison committed professional and ethical misconduct, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will pursue the harassment complaint.

To reach David Klepper, call 785-354-1388 or send e-mail to [e-mail].


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[pipoman]

8. Kline is the former AG

who lost his seat last year to Morrison largely because of Kline's obsession over George Tiller's abortion practice. So again it was not Morrison who was investigating planned parenthood it was the former AG Phil Kline (R). Morrison was the former DA of Johnson County Kansas (Kansas City, Kansas), now Kline is the DA for Johnson County.

[hooraydems06]

9. Yeah, I wish people would get their facts straight...

... glad you tried to clear it up. If you hadn't, I would have.

[pipoman]

10. Yep

Just to recap so when this thread is looked at in 6 months this is clear.

1. Phil Kline (R) (anti Choice) was AG of Kansas before Morrison (D)(pro-choice).

2. Phil Kline (R) lost re-election last year because of his obsession with prosecution of abortion doctor George Tiller and his investigation of Planned Parenthood.

3. Morrison (D) previously was the DA of Johnson County Kansas which includes Kansas City, Kansas

4. Morrison (D) won the election for AG last year, his opponent was incumbent Phil Kline (R)

5. Phil Kline (R) is currently the DA of Johnson County Kansas

6. Phil Kline (R) is continuing to push his anti-choice beliefs

7. Neither of these guys, Kline (R) or Morrison (D), work in San Diego nor have they anytime recently (unless it is very recent, say the last day or so).

[Slyder]

11. Sorry. pipeman, your wrong on #3

Kansas City, Kansas is in Wyandotte County. Not to be confused with Kansas City, Missouri which is in Jackson County, Missouri. Kline is DA of Johnson County, Kansas, to the south of KCKS and west of KCMO, which includes Overland Park, the second largest city in Kansas, and 19 other cities. Kline was put in office by Republican committeepersons after Morrison, the DA of Johnson County switched parties and was elected Attorney General of Kansas beating Kline who was the incumbent. It was revenge on Kansas and Johnson County for Morrison's defection and defeat of Kline. Most Republicans in Johnson County I know are in open revolt against the local Republican party and its leadership. The problem is that the RW Republicans vote in the primaries and in committeeperson races, and the moderate one's don't. The Johnson County seat, Olathe (pronounced O-lay-tha with emphasis on the second syllable), is the home of a conservative Church of the Nazarene college and a hotbed of nutwing Republicans. Kansas politics are getting very interesting.

Kansas has an excellent Democratic Governor in her second term, Kathleen Sebelius. I am currently quite angry at the Democratic 3rd District Congressman Dennis Moore for voting yes on the Military Commissions Act. Interesting indeed.

And I am really, really pissed at Paul Morrison. He was an excellent DA and widely respected. Now I say good riddance! This week I got a recorded telephone call informing me that Morrison is a baby killer for some obscure case he handled. Apparently the caller dresses up as a bumblebee and "stings" people he doesn't like.

Bring the soda and popcorn, the Republicans are providing the nuts.

[AZCat]

13. I had a friend...

who went to the Nazarene school in Olathe. He was very different when he came out. I was sad.

[pipoman]

14. Oooo, my bad, you are right, I've been in both courthouses many times, I should know better N/T

[Slyder]

12. Sorry pipoman

for getting your name wrong. My apologies.

[brentspeak]

15. It's the other way around

Kline was the one investigating Planned Parenthood. Now with Morrison gone, Kline is free to continue his witch hunts.