Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday met with a group of staff members from the attorney general’s office to give them a pep talk in the wake of Attorney General Paul Morrison’s sex scandal and resignation.

“She wanted their input about a new leader and wanted to assure them that she had the highest confidence in the capacity and talent that Paul Morrison had assembled during his first year in the office,” Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said.

Sebelius is searching for a replacement for Morrison, who said he will leave office Jan. 31.

Morrison has been accused of sexual harassment and ethical misconduct by Linda Carter, who said she had a two-year extramarital affair with Morrison.

Carter was director of administration for the Johnson County district attorney’s office when Morrison was district attorney.

Morrison, who was elected state attorney general in 2006, admitted to having the affair but denied Carter’s other allegations, which are the subject of several investigations. Carter said Morrison sought information about Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline’s investigation into a Planned Parenthood clinic, according to reports.

Sebelius has been getting the names of numerous candidates to fill the remaining three years of Morrison’s term.

In her meeting with division leaders and key staff from the attorney general’s office, Sebelius said she would urge whoever she picks to keep as many current staff members as possible, Corcoran said.