Did attorney general shield Planned Parenthood?

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Did attorney general shield Planned Parenthood?
Woman accuses official of using sex to impede official investigation

A former employee in a state prosecutor's office in Kansas has accused state Attorney General Paul Morrison of using sex to try to obtain insider information about a criminal investigation being conducted by a political opponent into alleged illegal activities at a Planned Parenthood abortion facility.

The accusations were revealed by the Topeka Capital-Journal in a series of articles about Morrison and a complaint filed by Linda Carter, the former administrator in the Johnson County district attorney's office, where Morrison worked before taking state office in January.

Carter stayed in the DA's office, working for Morrison's political foe, former state Attorney General Phill Kline, after the two prosecutors traded offices as a result of Morrison's election victory in 2006. Republicans in Johnson County picked Kline to fill Morrison's unfinished term.

Carter now has filed a sexual harassment complaint against Morrison with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the newspaper reported. And in a signed statement she confirmed Morrison "prodded" her during their affair to reveal insider information regarding Kline's investigation into possible charges against Planned Parenthood in Johnson County for alleged abortion law violations.

Kline later filed more than 100 criminal counts against Planned Parenthood, and that case currently is the subject of a grand jury investigation.

The affair, to which Morrison admitted in a statement to the newspaper, and the accusations of allegedly improper interference by the attorney general into a criminal investigation, have prompted calls for Morrison's resignation from sources as disparate as the pro-life organization Operation Rescue to the governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius, a prominent abortion supporter.

"This is not just about sex and abortion," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "This is about corruption manifested in the perverted use of sex and power for political advantage.

"Morrison's obsessive desire to derail Kline's investigations through the sleaziest of means indicates not only critically impaired judgment, but conduct that is absolutely unethical, immoral, and intolerable for a state's 'Top Cop.' The integrity of the office has been destroyed," Newman said.

"Operation Rescue has long questioned Morrison's ability [to] uphold Kansas abortion laws, and has in the past called for him to step down. Now, in light of this new sex and abortion corruption scandal, we renew our demand for his immediate resignation," Newman said.

Ashley Anstaett, a spokeswoman for Morrison, said Morrison has no plans to step down, and he also has no plans to speak publicly on the controversy beyond his statement to the Capital-Journal that confirmed the lengthy affair.

Morrison, with access to apparently the same records held by Kline, refused to file any charges against Planned Parenthood last summer, Operation Rescue said. Kline later filed the 107 counts, including 23 felony allegations.

"To further illustrate Morrison's fixation over shielding Planned Parenthood, Morrison joined on their side in a sealed mandamus action before the Kansas Supreme Court," OR said in its statement. "The abortion clinic's suit against Kline involves abortion records, which are the basis for the current criminal charges."

Kline, as attorney general, had wondered how dozens of abortions could be done on girls as young as 11 or 12, with not a single count of sexual assault on a child being pursued in Kansas. He also wondered whether abortion providers were following state law, especially on late-term abortions.

Planned Parenthood and Wichita late-term abortionist George Tiller used court maneuvers to battle Kline's subpoena for their records, and Kline actually got the redacted records only weeks before he turned over the office to Morrison following the 2006 election.

Kline quickly filed a series of 30 charges against Tiller, and turned the case over to an independent prosecutor, but the prosecutor was fired and the Tiller charges dismissed when Morrison took office.

Morrison later filed a substitute case involve 19 lesser charges against Tiller, based on the records Kline obtained.

Operation Rescue noted the Carter case was not the first time allegations of sexual misconduct had been leveled against Morrison, either.

"We have to wonder, given Morrison's pattern of sexual indiscretions, if there isn't a receipt at these abortion clinics with his name on it that he didn't want discovered by political rivals. That would certainly explain his willingness to go to any lengths to derail the investigations," Newman said.

Morrison issued a statement inviting a state investigation, but Brian Burgess, a spokesman for Kline, told the newspaper Morrison probably already was aware that officials had been given the allegations earlier.

His earlier statement to the newspaper admitted the affair with Carter, and apologized for "this failing in my personal life." But Morrison rejected her statement he pressured her to reveal information about Kline's investigation of Planned Parenthood.

Sebelius told the newspaper that Morrison should resign if found guilty of sexually harassing an employee or engaging in "improper involvement" in litigation being pursue by Kline.

Christian Morgan, the state Republican Party chief, said the allegations involve both criminal and civil issues, and need to be resolved.

The newspaper said it learned the relationship began in 2005 and wasn't ended until 2007. In Carter's statement, she said Morrison repeatedly tried to get from her sensitive information about Kline's activities regarding Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, an abortion clinic that is within Kline's Johnson County jurisdiction.

The newspaper reported Carter also said she had urged Morrison to charge Tiller, but the two argued over the case and the argument ended with Morrison storming out of Carter's apartment.

Carter's statement said Morrison regularly questioned her throughout 2007 about progress by Kline's staff in the Planned Parenthood investigation.

The grand jury now hearing the Planned Parenthood case was ordered after a coalition of abortion opponents used a 1970 law that allows the public to petition for an investigation. A separate grand jury is hearing evidence in the case involving Tiller.

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Man praying while pushing stroller threatened with arrest
Cops crack down on dad watching baby while mom sidewalk-counseled at abortion clinic

Police chief responds, "he can pray at home or anywhere", except near abortion center

A YouTube video shows police monitoring a peaceful protest in a Chicago suburb who threatened to arrest a man that was not part of the protest because he was praying while walking his baby in a stroller on the sidewalk near a huge Planned Parenthood abortion facility.

Aurora resident Roger Earl was walking his baby and praying from a prayer book on November 17 when police confronted him and told him he couldn't be there.

"I wasn't planning to be part of the protest today," said Earl. "I didn't realize that I was breaking any law by walking along the sidewalk praying."

A pro-life worker has put a video on YouTube of Roger Earl talking with reporters after his confrontation with police officials.

Earl was near the protest because his wife was sidewalk counseling, and he was watching their infant. Police approached him and warned him twice and then threatened to arrest him even after he denied being part of the protest.

Earl was praying and wearing an insignia indicating he opposed abortion, according to Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli.  Aurora Police Chief William Powell callously dismissed the excessive police enforcement, linking prayer near an abortion center to a legal protest.

"If he's praying here, he's here because of the building," Powell said. "He can pray at home or anywhere."

Jason Craddock, one of the attorneys for Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood and the Pro-Life Action League, said the incident was a blatant example of anti-picketing enforcement.

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Abortion-supporting AG resigns over sex scandal
Special prosecutor will be picked by former foe to review allegations

Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison, a Republican-turned-Democrat who was supported by abortion advocates in Kansas in his campaign to defeat pro-life former Attorney General Phill Kline, has quit in a sex-and-political-influence scandal that now has triggered a decision to hire a special prosecutor.

"He's out," trumpeted a statement in the Kansas City Star.

The newspaper said Morrison read a statement this afternoon confirming he'll "resign on Jan. 31 in the wake of a sex scandal involving a former employee in the Johnson County district attorney's office."

"Many people feel betrayed by my actions, and they have every right to feel that way," Morrison read.

He took no questions and left as soon as he finished reading the statement.

"Because of my actions in my personal life, many people stopped believing in me," Morrison said. "The truth ultimately will come out."

Morrison announced his resignation less than a week after reports in the Topeka Capital-Journal revealed he had carried on an affair with a former administrator in the Johnson County district attorney's office for two years.

Linda Carter disrupted Morrison's political tenure by filing a sex harassment complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and alleging that among other things, Morrison, after he moved from the county office to the state position, tried to have her spy on a developing criminal investigation involving the Planned Parenthood in Johnson County.

Supported by publicity generated by a group sharing the address of an abortion's own political action group, Morrison had defeated Kline in the campaign for the AG's spot in 2006, and took over in early 2007. He promptly fired a special prosecutor hired by Kline to carry forward on a criminal case against Wichita late-term abortionist George Tiller, and dismissed the 30 counts Kline filed, replacing them with lesser counts.

However, since Morrison converted from Republican to Democrat for the statewide race, when he left the DA's office in Johnson County, Republicans had the privilege of replacing him, and they picked Kline.

Kline continued to work with investigative files he had subpoenaed as attorney general, and recently filed 107 criminal charges against Planned Parenthood, which is in Johnson County and thus still remained under his jurisdiction.

Kline now has confirmed he'll get $25,000 from the Johnson County commissioners to hire a special prosecutor to investigate what he told the Kansas City Star were allegations including blackmail and telephone harassment.

"I hope to God these allegations are not true," Commissioner Doug Wood told the newspaper. "It saddens me that this situation exists."

Morrison was facing opposition even from Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a well-known advocate for abortion rights. In a statement, she said she "believes the people of Kansas deserve to know the truth about these allegations and welcomes an independent review."

Carter's EEOC complaint, which will be investigated separately from any investigation pending in Johnson County, alleged Morrison "prodded" her during their affair to reveal insider information regarding Kline's investigation into the Johnson County Planned Parenthood business for alleged abortion law violations.

Carter worked in the Johnson County office while Morrison held the office, then continued to work there later, when Kline was appointed.

A grand jury now is reviewing the case against Planned Parenthood, in which Kline filed 107 counts, including 23 felonies.

Leaders at the pro-life Operation Rescue earlier called for Morrison to leave.

"This is not just about sex and abortion," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "This is about corruption manifested in the perverted use of sex and power for political advantage.

"Morrison's obsessive desire to derail Kline's investigations through the sleaziest of means indicates not only critically impaired judgment, but conduct that is absolutely unethical, immoral, and intolerable for a state's 'Top Cop.' The integrity of the office has been destroyed," Newman said.

"Operation Rescue has long questioned Morrison's ability [to] uphold Kansas abortion laws, and has in the past called for him to step down. Now, in light of this new sex and abortion corruption scandal, we renew our demand for his immediate resignation," Newman said.

Morrison, in fact, had joined Planned Parenthood in a court filing opposing Kline's investigation.

"To further illustrate Morrison's fixation over shielding Planned Parenthood, Morrison joined on their side in a sealed mandamus action before the Kansas Supreme Court," OR said in its statement. "The abortion clinic's suit against Kline involves abortion records, which are the basis for the current criminal charges."

Kline, as attorney general, had wondered how dozens of abortions could be done on girls as young as 11 or 12, with not a single count of sexual assault on a child being pursued in Kansas. He also wondered whether abortion providers were following state law, especially on late-term abortions.

Planned Parenthood and Tiller used court maneuvers to battle Kline's subpoena for their records, and Kline actually got the redacted records only weeks before he turned over the office to Morrison following the 2006 election.

Kline quickly filed a series of 30 charges against Tiller, and turned the case over to an independent prosecutor, but the prosecutor was fired and the Tiller charges dismissed when Morrison took office.

Morrison later filed a substitute case involve 19 lesser charges against Tiller, based on the records Kline obtained.

Operation Rescue noted the Carter case was not the first time allegations of sexual misconduct had been leveled against Morrison, either.

"We have to wonder, given Morrison's pattern of sexual indiscretions, if there isn't a receipt at these abortion clinics with his name on it that he didn't want discovered by political rivals. That would certainly explain his willingness to go to any lengths to derail the investigations," Newman said.

The Topeka newspaper said it learned the relationship began in 2005 and wasn't ended until 2007. In Carter's statement, she said Morrison repeatedly tried to get from her sensitive information about Kline's activities regarding Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri.

The Topeka newspaper reported Carter also said she had urged Morrison to charge Tiller, but the two argued over the case and the argument ended with Morrison storming out of Carter's apartment.

Carter's statement said Morrison regularly questioned her throughout 2007 about progress by Kline's staff in the Planned Parenthood investigation.

The grand jury now hearing the Planned Parenthood case was ordered after a coalition of abortion opponents used a 1970 law that allows the public to petition for an investigation. A separate grand jury is hearing evidence in the case involving Tiller.

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City stands by Planned Parenthood support 
Refuses to review claims of mega-clinic zoning misapplication

A local reporter called it "the end of the line for a controversial zoning appeal of Planned Parenthood's new facility" when an Aurora, Ill., zoning board rejected arguments by abortion opponents, but an organization in the middle of the dispute says it is anything but "the end."

"The next steps in this case will be taken," Eric Scheidler of Families Against Planned Parenthood told WND. "This case is far from over."

At issue is Planned Parenthood's mega-clinic in Aurora, Ill., built as a front company with the acronym GOD deceived city officials about the project. City officials, in fact, have admitted the abortion business was built under the wrong zoning requirements, and was required to meet demands that were much less strict than the zoning actually in force for the land where the 22,000-square-foot building sits.

Peter Breen, a lawyer working with the team assembled by the Thomas More Society to handle the case, said several issues were presented to the Aurora zoning board of appeals, including the fact the land's zoning requires a for-profit corporation, while Planned Parenthood itself is non-profit, and through that status obtained more than $8 million in state bonds to build the project.

But board members voted this week to dismiss the case "agreeing with the city and Planned Parenthood that the appeal did not fall within their jurisdiction," according to reporter Andre Salles in a Naperville newspaper.

But Breen earlier told WND a dismissal probably would be the best possible result the group could hope for from the city decision-making process, because then the path to a lawsuit over the issues would be wide open.

Breen said a major error in the project was confirmed by the city recently, when officials started referring to ordinance 093-124 rather than to 093-123, "which had expired and which they had been citing previously," in connection with the case.

"In addition, the city cited the wrong ordinance as a basis for favorable zoning determinations in a pair of investigations undertaken by two touted zoning experts, private lawyers acting on behalf of the city, which led to Mayor Tom Weisner announcing the renewal of Planned Parenthood's temporary occupancy permit…" the center said.

"If the proper ordinance had been cited and complied with, Planned Parenthood should never have opened," the group said.

An attorney for the city said there was only a 45-day appeal period for zoning decisions to be challenged, and the zoning decision in this case was made in 2006. However, Scheidler said the deceptions by Planned Parenthood, and mistakes by the city, prevented abortion opponents from knowing about such issues during that 45-day period.

He said the group, as well as other individuals involved in opposing the new mega-clinic, will be reviewing the city's written decision as soon as it's available before making a determination on the next course of action, which could be either to return to the city board with new challenges, or go to court.

The project erupted into controversy when officials for a company operating as Gemini Office Development (GOD), admitted they were a front for Planned Parenthood and confirmed they concealed their identity in order to prevent the public from knowing in advance about the huge abortion business they were opening in Aurora.

The opening of the facility was held up several weeks, from September to October, for an investigation into deceptions by the abortion provider during the permitting and construction process, but the mayor eventually concluded there was no legal reason for the abortion business not to open.

Weisner said although the company was not "forthright," there were no legal grounds to keep it shut.

The project had been described as an office building throughout its permitting process. However, as WND columnist Jill Stanek reported, a pro-life construction worker on the project became suspicious of the bulletproof glass and surgical suites, components not routine in an office building.

It was soon outed as an abortion facility, prompting protests and outrage from pro-life community members who said, as Stanek phrased it, "If citizens may lie to occupancy permit officials, may they also lie to police officers? Or at city council meetings? Where will Aurora draw the line between permissible and impermissible lies?"

"At a minimum, the city of Aurora should launch an official and legal investigation, questioning the applicant and tenant under oath about statements on applications and in meetings," she said. "If the city does not, is something more going on, a cover-up? Did some officials know that the public documents filed and statements made by the applicant were false? Did some officials know the tenant was to be an abortion provider, but then conspired with Gemini to keep it quiet to avoid politically unfavorable publicity?"

Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, said the deception probably was the result of two issues: the fact that a Planned Parenthood clinic's construction in Austin, Texas, earlier was delayed for months when local contractors refused to work on the project, and the general atmosphere that accompanies abortion businesses.

"What do you get when you get an abortion facility? Not only do you get dead children, the blight and underworld that comes along with that, but you also get thousands upon thousands of pro-lifers who adorn the streets with pictures of aborted children," he told WND. "I don't think either is good for a community."

The tactic, however, is not isolated to the Illinois location. Newman said the same scenario developed with Denver, where Planned Parenthood recently purchased a building without announcing its presence.

"The bottom line is nobody wants an abortion facility in their community. It's kind of like a toxic waste dump," he said.

Among issues that remain unresolved, Breen said, including the fact that the zoning for the land does not allow non-profit health-related facilities, and the zoning rules require plans for the property be given city council approval, which was not obtained before construction, and a filing of preliminary plans, which also wasn't done.

The project also fails to comply with the 35-foot setback requirements and parking-related minimums under its city zoning. The zoning calculations require 95 oversized parking spaces for a building of that size, and there exists space for only 71, Breen said.