TOPEKA ? The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission is investigating a fund-raising solicitation by Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, it was confirmed today.

Kline spokesman Whitney Watson said Kline’s office found out something was questioned about the solicitation, and immediately reported itself to the Ethics Commission.

“As soon as we found out, we self-reported to the Ethics Commission and are cooperating with them,” Watson said.

The question is over solicitations for contributions related to a Kline fund-raiser scheduled for later this month in Wichita and featuring former U.S. Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft.

Apparently some of the solicitations were mailed to lobbyists. State officeholders are prohibited from asking lobbyists for campaign contributions from Jan. 1 until the legislative session officially ends, which is usually in late May.

The solicitation letters were sent by a political consulting business that made an “honest mistake,” Watson said.

Carol Williams, executive director of the Ethics Commission, declined to comment.

Ethics investigations are handled privately. If the Ethics Commission decides a violation took place, it will hold a public hearing on the allegation.