LJWorld.com / Kline says as district attorney, he can opt out of Johnson County personnel policies

Archive for Monday, January 15, 2007

January 15, 2007

Olathe — Johnson County will not conduct grievance hearings for eight employees fired by new District Attorney Phill Kline because Kline will not participate in the hearings.

Kline told county commissioners Friday that he would not participate in the hearings for seven former prosecutors and a chief investigator.

Kline, who notified the commissioners in a letter, declined to comment Friday. But in the letter, he said a state statute gives him the authority to hire and fire and set compensation.

"It is my opinion and the opinion of my legal staff that, although I am not required to do so, I have complied with the county's policy regarding personnel," the letter states.

In addition, he said he thinks the county's policies give him the authority to terminate any employee at any time for any reason.

The eight employees were dismissed last Monday, the day Kline was sworn in as district attorney. They filed grievances Wednesday, asking for reinstatement and back pay.

Don Jarrett, the county's chief counsel, said what happens next is up to the eight former employees. Joe Colantuono, an attorney for the employees, said the most obvious option would be to file a lawsuit.

The county was prepared to hold hearings. However, before proceeding, commissioners Thursday asked Kline if he would comply with the county's policies as interpreted by county staff, participate in an appeal hearing and abide by the results of that hearing. The commissioners gave Kline until noon Friday to give them an answer.

Jarrett said all county officials must follow county policies. But the district attorney's office is distinct, he said. Kansas law makes a district attorney an official of the state.

Johnson County always has asked its district attorneys to comply with county policies, and in the past they have, Jarrett said.

When asked if Kline has the legal authority to opt out of the county's policies, Jarrett said: "I'm not going to get into the legal issues. Those things can be debated." Kline's position is that the statute entitles him to opt out, Jarrett said.

Colantuono, who represents the fired employees, said his clients have not decided whom they would sue if they file suit. Any lawsuit would request reinstatement, back pay and other damages that might be available, he said.

Discussion

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15 January 2007
at 7:02 a.m.

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Kropotkin (Anonymous) says…

Okay. No matter how 300 far right Republican regulars voted, this may be the move that qualifies Kline for a recall!

Petititons anyone?
15 January 2007
at 9:33 a.m.

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Baille (Anonymous) says…

“On his last work day as attorney general, Phill Kline appointed journalist John Marshall to the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission.

“Marshall, editor and president of The Lindsborg News-Record, will take his position Wednesday, and one of the first items of business he will face is a hearing on a complaint against Kline, alleging improper campaign use of state computers.”

And

“Johnson County always has asked its district attorneys to comply with county policies, and in the past they have, Jarrett said.

“Johnson County will not conduct grievance hearings for eight employees fired by new District Attorney Phill Kline because Kline will not participate in the hearings.”

Slimeball.
15 January 2007
at 10:48 a.m.

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Ragingbear (Anonymous) says…

Phil Kline, once again, thinks he is above the law and can rewrite any law he pleases.
15 January 2007
at 12:02 p.m.

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Bumble_Bee_Braun (Anonymous) says…

Kline is obviously soft on crime.

The Johnson County Eight should be prosecuted for Johnson County “blackmail”, not fired.

This is what Paul Morrison would have done.

Best Regards,
Bumble_Bee_Braun
www.fairtrialsinamerica.org
15 January 2007
at 12:15 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

Morrison IQ: 200
Kline's IQ: 40

any questions?!
15 January 2007
at 12:24 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

I'm curious, was Kline ever dropped as a kid on his head? Was he hearing impaired, learning disabled or mentally incapacitated during school? where does it say he can make his own laws?
15 January 2007
at 12:52 p.m.

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dizzy_from_your_spin (Anonymous) says…

Morrison's arrogance: demotes employee after she rebuffs sexual advances.

Morrison's arrogance: sends letter to KS radio stations threatening licenses if do not pull Kline ads.

Morrison's arrogance: fires 25% of KS AG staff on Dec 23—2 days before Christmas.

Morrison's arrogance: sends letter to JoCoComms demanding successor receive less pay.

Morrison's arrogance: flaunts law for major campaign contributor.

Media arrogance: continually berating Kline and abetting Morrison's arrogance.
15 January 2007
at 1:21 p.m.

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crazyks (Anonymous) says…

Oh, get off your soap box, Braun. Nobody else here agrees with you. Stop holding that grudge so tightly and get on with your life.
15 January 2007
at 1:46 p.m.

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Tychoman (Anonymous) says…

Braun: LEAVE. Idiot.
15 January 2007
at 1:48 p.m.

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logicsound04 (Anonymous) says…

“Morrison's arrogance: demotes employee after she rebuffs sexual advances.”

this never happened

“Morrison's arrogance: sends letter to KS radio stations threatening licenses if do not pull Kline ads.”

do you have any proof? a news article? anything?

“Morrison's arrogance: fires 25% of KS AG staff on Dec 23—2 days before Christmas.”

well, at least someone is interested in filling the highest legal office in the state with competent prosecutors…

“Morrison's arrogance: sends letter to JoCoComms demanding successor receive less pay.”

he probably felt that he should remind the extremist wackos that chose kline—in spite of the results of the ag race—that he has no prosecutorial experience, and therefore, is entitled to less compensation

“Morrison's arrogance: flaunts law for major campaign contributor.”

once again—evidence of said 'lawbreaking'. i assume you mean tiller, who is so well within the law that our former a$$ of an ag couldn't even get charges to stick!! ha!

“Media arrogance: continually berating Kline and abetting Morrison's arrogance”

no, that's just called reporting the news. it's kline, not morrison, that continues to skirt the edge of ethics and responsibility.

You probably work for Kline—or hell, maybe you are Kline himself. Your ideas about fact are just about as accurate as his.
15 January 2007
at 1:48 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

Dizzy, go take your pro-KLINE anti crime fighting propaganda & soak your head.
15 January 2007
at 1:51 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

No, Logicsound, Dizzy works for Kline as a stripper for taxpayer funded parties. Two birds of a feather flock together.
15 January 2007
at 2:10 p.m.

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Tychoman (Anonymous) says…

Dizzy and Braun should qualify as stalkers and get kicked off.
15 January 2007
at 2:32 p.m.

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logicsound04 (Anonymous) says…

I don't understand why the LJW online is still allowing BBB on here. It's almost like they feel obligated to let him post since they ran an article about him.

I would be happy if I never had to read another one of his posts. It's not that I am a Morrison sycophant, just that I find any source of information that is so biased to one point of view to be unreliable.
15 January 2007
at 2:33 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

Amen to that Tychoman, all in favor say “Yea”! I wish that could work for us in our fight against the piss poorest excuse of a former AG in JOCO & disbar the sucker.
15 January 2007
at 2:55 p.m.

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dthroat (Anonymous) says…

What I want to know is just how Morrison is supposed to have fired people in December when he didn't take office until after the first of the year.

Even Kline (Slime) didn't try that until he officially took office.

That is just ONE thing I have problems with on the previous post.
15 January 2007
at 3:58 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

Well, I see now that the GOP of Kansas want US to show voter ID when we go to the polls. HELLO, if the system is not broken, don't fix it! Oh, I am sorry, JOCO residents showed why this is happening, because their boy, PHIL pushed for this legislation. Another fine mess Kline gets us into. well done, joco freaks!
15 January 2007
at 4:33 p.m.

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logicsound04 (Anonymous) says…

“What I want to know is just how Morrison is supposed to have fired people in December when he didn't take office until after the first of the year.”

––––––-

I think the logical answer would be that this didn't actually occur. Dizzy is just making up facts to push his agenda.
15 January 2007
at 4:36 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

Logic, you're right, though, Dizzy is not alone. Remember the rant of Braun the other day? Where Braun decided that the best course of action is to push smear campaigns against Morrison when the election was over! Sorry, logic, & everyone else, but where do we get petitions to oust kreepy kline?
15 January 2007
at 5:24 p.m.

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Baille (Anonymous) says…

Oh. Braun is the crazy guy from California making all the spam calls to Kansans, right?

Anyone have his phone numbers?
15 January 2007
at 6:54 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

Asbestos, don't forget Bob the BOOB Corkins!:)
15 January 2007
at 7:18 p.m.

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cowgomoo (Anonymous) says…

Posted by logicsound04 (anonymous) on January 15, 2007 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

“What I want to know is just how Morrison is supposed to have fired people in December when he didn't take office until after the first of the year.”

––––––-

I think the logical answer would be that this didn't actually occur. Dizzy is just making up facts to push his agenda.

_________________________________

No, that actually did occur. I know for a fact that they got their letters shortly before Christmas telling them that their services were no longer necessary after January 8.

I know attorneys from JOCO and the AG's office that were fired. All were competent professional lawyers. The ones from the AG's office had the blot of being appointed during Kline's tenure instead of Stovall or Stephan.
15 January 2007
at 8:24 p.m.

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purplesage (Anonymous) says…

Have you all forgotten how close Phill Kline came to unseating the now entrenched Rep. Dennis Moore? It took about 6 years of media onslaught and outright slander to bring Mr. Kline into the present state of disrepute.

Have you forgotten that he successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the State? (Hmmm … Must not be that bad of a lawyer.)

The latest round in JoCo isn't the smartest thing from a PR standpoint. But have you forgotten that A.G. Morrison is firing and hiring too? What's the diff?
15 January 2007
at 8:36 p.m.

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tell_it_like_it_is (Anonymous) says…

He!!s bells don't fire him from Johnson Co. DA. With the luck that screwball has he'll bounce from being fired JOCO DA to president or vice president or something.
15 January 2007
at 8:37 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

kline is a politician, purple! HE is no lawyer!Morrison knows JOCO better than kline, purple! Besides, in case you forgotten, PURPLE, has KLINE prosecuted before his so-called DA job in JOCO?! HE#$ no! End of story.
15 January 2007
at 8:39 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

tell_it…, plllleeeaaassse don't even think about it! Kline as president or vice president, hahahahahahahaha! What a stinken laugh! NO ONE will elect him dog catcher, unless you're a JOCO resident!
15 January 2007
at 8:56 p.m.

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purplesage (Anonymous) says…

I think that is how Theodore Roosevelt ended up in the presidency. He was a pain in the neck so they made him the veep. When President McKinley was assassinated, welcome President Roosevelt! So beware - strange things have happened.

rhd - Paul Morrison ISN'T a politician??? Really!
15 January 2007
at 9:04 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

READ Morrison's bio, purple! no where in Kline's bio shows he has experience in the courtroom. Kline is a prosecutor by trade, yeah right. prove it, purple!
15 January 2007
at 9:10 p.m.

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purplesage (Anonymous) says…

I said he is an attorney. He undoubtedly prosecuted during his term as AG, but what I noted is that he did successfully argue a case before the Supreme Court (Ks capital punishment statute).

Paul Morrison did have to switch parties to end up as AG. Never would have won a Republican primary but with an alliance of honest-to-goodness Democrats and Republicrats, Nancy Boyda, what's his name the lieut.gov and Paul Morrison are now in office. Such is politics.
15 January 2007
at 9:15 p.m.

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Baille (Anonymous) says…

“(Ks capital punishment statute).”

Yeah, like that was a hard one to win. Whatever.
15 January 2007
at 9:17 p.m.

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Baille (Anonymous) says…

Let's see Kline try a death case. That will be some funny stuff there, boy.

Of course, as an opponent of premeditated killing by the state, Kline as DA could be the best thing to happen to the death penalty in Kansas in years.

Nah. That assumes Kline will actually spend his time as DA being a trial attorney. He is just going to sit on his butt “supervisin'.”
15 January 2007
at 9:52 p.m.

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budwhysir (Anonymous) says…

What I would say is as a politician one can rewrite the rule book at any time. Why is Kline getting so much press lately??

What about our healthcare problems and the other issues that worry our nation. Can one person be so important
15 January 2007
at 11:33 p.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

all y'all Kline Supporters, Kline's egotistical head is SO big, I am ready to see it explode! hahahahahahahaha!
15 January 2007
at 11:51 p.m.

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logicsound04 (Anonymous) says…

“No, that actually did occur. I know for a fact that they got their letters shortly before Christmas telling them that their services were no longer necessary after January 8.”

––––

Yes, but Dizzy's original post would have you believe that Morrison failed to exhibit class in his dismissal of Kline's staff. I wasn't disputing the fact that Morrison fired some people, just the fact that he went about it inappropriately.

I suppose Morrison controls the mail, huh? Would you rather he waited until Jan. 8th to inform these people they no longer had a job, giving them even less time to figure out new options.

=======================================
purplesage,

first you said:
“It took about 6 years of media onslaught and outright slander to bring Mr. Kline into the present state of disrepute”

––––-

I'm sure Kline's own corrupt actions had nothing to do with his dis-reputation, hmmmm?

then you said:

“Have you forgotten that he successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the State? ”

–––-

Dictating a pre-constucted argument before the SCOTUS is entirely different from prosecuting cases, as Kline found out this past December, being embarassed by his lack of knowledge about the justice system. But I'm sure you'd rather assume that the Wichita DA, the Judge, and the entire city of Wichita is secretly in cahoots with Dr. Tiller…

I will say that your post did an effective job of pointing out that Kline was a politician first, and he still hasn't quite figured out the law thing.
16 January 2007
at 12:09 a.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

Well, logicsound04, I guess NOBODY on the pro-KLINE side gets it. Better yet, NONE of you Pro-kliners can sell it! As far as I am concerned, KLINE is all B.S. & NO substance. get that through your heads, Pro kliners! Has HE ever done anything to protect consumers in Kansas? r u kidding me?! His hatred & case against Tiller is a joke & a lost cause. Those of you who support Kline, you stink, you weakest links! Take your poison & shove it!Logicsound04 & everyone else who has backed me up in some fashion, thank you & have a good one.
16 January 2007
at 12:37 a.m.

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Tychoman (Anonymous) says…

rhd, lay off. You're incredibly annoying and immature. Just give it a rest, man.
16 January 2007
at 11:58 a.m.

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emilyhadley (Emily Hadley) says…

Isn't his choice not to participate akin to a copper choosing not to show up to your traffic ticket trial?
Why shouldn't it go on without Phill's optional contribution?
17 January 2007
at 12:41 a.m.

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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…

Tychoman, PHILLY boy is the immature one. He has no experience for the job. I am immature? Who started going after Tiller? KLINE! You who support Kline & his ills, you lay off & give it a rest!