April 2, 2008
(updated)

Should FIVE JoCo Commissioners recuse themselves in Morrison decision? 
All but Lindstrom and Toplikar?

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners is considering a vote on withdrawing $25,000 for DA Phill Kline to investigate former AG Paul Morrison. One of the issues is Kline's appointment of attorney Tim Keck, who gave Kline $250 in 2006 in Kline's bid for re-election as Attorney General. There is speculation that Keck's contribution shows he is biased.

If Keck's contribution to Kline is relevant, what about these contributions?

These Board members gave to Kline's opponents for Attorney General in 2002 or 2006:

• John Patrick Segale gave $450 to Morrison for AG in 2005-2006, and his mom, who lives at the same address where Segale is registered to vote, gave $50 to Morrison for AG in 2006.
• C. Ed Peterson gave $250 to Morrison for AG in 2006.
• Annabeth Surbaugh, Board Chair, gave $50 to David Adkins for Attorney General, who was Kline's opponent in the 2002 primary election.
• Ed Eilert, gave $200 to David Akins for AG in 2002. (Eilert's wife gave $100 to David Adkins for State Senate in 1999.)

One Board member gave to Kline: 

•  Doug Wood gave $100 to Kline for AG in 2002 and $84 in 2006.

If the above five board members recuse themselves on the vote to withdraw money for the Kline appointed attorneys, does that mean that only David Lindstrom and John Toplikar can vote on this issue, since neither of these Commissioners gave money for or against Morrison or Kline?

One source says the $25,000 has already been paid to the special proesecutors. Withdrawing the funds will not stop the investigation, but rather hurt the new DA's budget next year.  

Related

• Kansas attorney general will have no role in Morrison investigation, Kansas City Star, Apr 2, 2008.