Topeka ? Atty. Gen. Phill Kline has donated $500 to the Kansas Patriot Guard after the campaign of his opponent Paul Morrison criticized Kline for taking a $500 contribution in 2002 from a member of Fred Phelps’ family.

Kline’s campaign said he made the contribution to the Patriot Guard just hours after he was contacted Monday by the Lawrence Journal-World concerning Morrison’s allegation.

Fred Phelps Sr. and his family have gained worldwide attention for picketing soldiers’ funerals. The Patriot Guard is a group of volunteer motorcyclists who shield military family members from the sight of the Phelps’ pickets.

The Phelps family contends the deaths of U.S. soldiers are God’s vengeance for the U.S. tolerating homosexuals.

Kline, a Republican, faces Morrison, a Democrat, in the Nov. 7 general election.

Morrison’s campaign criticized Kline for taking the contribution from Benjamin C. Phelps, the grandson of Fred Phelps Sr., on Oct. 17, 2002.

At the time, Kline was involved in a tough campaign against Democrat Chris Biggs. Kline won by 4,287 votes out of 821,107 ballots.

On Tuesday, Kline’s campaign said they didn’t know the donation was from a member of the Phelps family.

Kline’s spokeswoman Sherriene Jones said Kline opposes what the Phelps family does. Instead of returning the money to Benjamin Phelps, Jones said Kline sent $500 to the Patriot Guard.

Jones emphasized that Kline has spoken out against the Phelpses.

Morrison’s campaign said that Kline’s initial acceptance of the contribution showed bad judgment.