Archive for Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Stephan seeks investigation into Kline fund-raising
Former AG requested that the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission look into Kline’s fund-raising at churches
November 1, 2006
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Race for Attorney General
- Kansas Govenrmental Ethics Commission letter about Kline fundraising (.pdf)
- PAC adds $1.5M to Kline bid (10-31-06)
- Campaign ads mask sponsors' identities (10-29-06)
- Heated exchanges mark attorney general's race (10-29-06)
- Stephan questions Kline fundraising (10-18-06)
- Full coverage of the Attorney General race
- Transcript of chat with Attorney General Phill Kline (10-09-06)
- Candidate: Phill Kline (Republican)
- Candidate: Paul Morrison (Democrat)
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Topeka — Former Atty. Gen. Bob Stephan on Wednesday called for an investigation into the fund-raising of current Atty. Gen. Phill Kline.
Stephan requested that the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission look into Kline's fund-raising at churches, and $41,552 in unitemized contributions he reported on his campaign finance statement filed this week.
"It is very difficult to pin anything down, and that's why I have asked for this investigation," Stephan said in an interview with the Journal-World.
Stephan served as attorney general from 1979 to 1995. He later became a special assistant to Kline until he resigned several weeks ago, later saying it was because of Kline's fund-raising tactics. Both men are Republicans.
In a letter Wednesday, Stephan urged the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission to launch a probe into several aspects of Kline's fund-raising.
"An investigation is necessary to ensure that the integrity of our campaign finance laws is not being violated," Stephan said.
Carol Williams, executive director of the Ethics Commission, said she couldn't comment on the matter.
Kline's campaign couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
Under Kansas law, candidates on their campaign finance reports can lump together contributions of $50 or less into unitemized amounts.
In Kline's finance record filed Monday, he reported raising $613,777 between July 21 and Oct. 26. Of that amount, $41,552 was listed as unitemized contributions of $50 or less.
That was far more in unitemized contributions than any of the other statewide candidates listed.
For example, Kline's Democratic challenger Paul Morrison raised twice as much as Kline $1.25 million and listed only $50 in unitemized contributions.
"The people of Kansas deserve to know who's funding Phill Kline's campaign," said Morrison spokesman Mark Simpson.
Stephan said he also wants the Ethics Commission to look into Kline's practice of speaking at churches and raising campaign funds.
He said he is concerned about churches making donations to SWT Communications, which is owned by Kline's wife Deborah, and then an SWT donation to Kline's campaign.
In addition, he said he is confused as to why SWT Communications was paid $3,600 by the Kline campaign for storage of campaign material in a storage unit on the Klines' property.
Kline has denied anything was improper about his fund-raising at churches and contributions made to SWT.
Kline was under fire earlier in the campaign when a memo he wrote surfaced in which he told his staff that after he spoke at a church, they needed to line up contributors.
Also on Tuesday, the Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate a July appearance by Kline at a Topeka church and the church's subsequent $1,339 donation to SWT Communications. Another group, the Washington-based Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, made a similar request last month.
More like this
- Stephan seeks Kline fundraising probe 68 comments / November 2, 2006
- Stephan questions Kline fundraising 103 comments / October 18, 2006
- Morrison leads Kline in Lawrence money 12 comments / November 4, 2006
- Stovall endorses Morrison 59 comments / October 20, 2006
- Former attorney general leaves Kline's office 8 comments / September 30, 2006
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1 November 2006
at 7:43 p.m.
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kugrad (Anonymous) says…
Kline doesn't have the ethics for the job. If someone with as much inside information as Stephan and who is as conservative as Stephan calls for an investigation; you better believe there is a serious reason to investigate.
1 November 2006
at 8:07 p.m.
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TheSychophant (Anonymous) says…
Although I have, and always will view with mild contempt Bob Stephan's politics, the man has earned my eternal admiration for his integrity and courage in speaking out when most Republicans continue to protect the interests of their party, all to the detiment of we, the people. Bravo, Bob Stephan, you are a Kansas Hero.
1 November 2006
at 8:18 p.m.
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youngitized (Anonymous) says…
Phill Kline and ethics…that is like pot calling the kettle black.
1 November 2006
at 8:36 p.m.
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xenophonschild (Anonymous) says…
Margaret Nagrotsky of Americans United for Separation of Church & State assured me that Kline is going to be investigated by a host of state and federal agencies inre his fundraising activities.
So long, Phill boy. When Bob Stephan comes for you, turn out the lights, 'cause the party's over.
1 November 2006
at 9:29 p.m.
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LiberalDude (Anonymous) says…
hee, hee, hee, the fun continues…..
1 November 2006
at 9:55 p.m.
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Baille (Anonymous) says…
Wow.
2 November 2006
at 12:17 a.m.
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BOE (Anonymous) says…
Kline's four long years have shown a willingness to misuse the power of his office, and such an absolute lack of respect for the position he holds, that it borders on contempt.
I don't know why anybody would be surprised at the lengths he would go to in holding on to that power.
Bob,
Let the thing be pressed.