Paul J. Morrison (born June 1, 1954) is an American lawyer and former Attorney General of Kansas. Morrison attended Washburn University and Washburn School of Law, graduating in 1980. While at Washburn, he was a member of the Kansas Beta chapter of Phi Delta Theta.
Paul J. Morrison | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 42nd Kansas Attorney General | |
| In office January 8, 2007 – January 31, 2008 | |
| Governor | Kathleen Sebelius |
| Preceded by | Phill Kline |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Six |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 1, 1954[1] Dodge City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (before 2005) Democratic (2005–present) |
| Spouse | Joyce Morrison |
| Profession | Attorney |
Career
editMorrison was sworn in as the 42nd Kansas Attorney General following a 26-year career in law enforcement.[2] He previously served as the District Attorney for Johnson County, Kansas, from 1990 until January 2007. In 2005, Morrison switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party and announced he would challenge Republican Phill Kline in 2006 for Attorney General. On November 7, 2006, Morrison defeated Kline with 58% of the vote.[3] Morrison took office on January 8, 2007.[4] Kline succeeded Morrison as Johnson County District Attorney. On December 14, 2007, in the midst of a scandal involving a former employee while he was Johnson County District Attorney, Morrison announced his resignation effective January 31, 2008.
During his term, Attorney General Paul Morrison made domestic violence,[5] victim services, and cyber crime[6] a priority, re-organizing the office and providing new resources to fight these important crimes. A career prosecutor, Morrison has personally argued nearly 100 jury trials including the complex murder cases of notorious serial killers Richard Grissom and John Edward Robinson. Morrison continued to personally prosecute cases as Kansas Attorney General.
Scandal and resignation
editExtramarital affair
editIn December 2007 allegations surfaced that Morrison had an extramarital affair with an office administrator, Linda Carter, in the district attorney's office, that continued after he was elected Attorney General. Carter filed a sexual harassment claim with the EEOC, alleging that Morrison pressured her to obtain sensitive information about Kline and several pending investigations at the district attorney's office. Morrison admitted to the infidelity, but denies any impropriety, sexual harassment, pressure to obtain sensitive information, or undue influence the course of an investigation.[7]
Resignation
editMorrison announced his resignation on December 14, stating that his tenure would end on January 31, 2008.[8] On that date, Morrison was succeeded as Attorney General by Douglas County District Court Judge Stephen Six.[9][10]
Later career
editPaul Morrison is currently a criminal defense and family law attorney in Olathe, Kansas.[11]
Awards
editMorrison is a recipient of the Clarence M. Kelly Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Administration. The Kansas County and District Attorneys Association honored him with "Prosecutor of the Year" award in 2001 and the "Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2007.
References
edit- ^ "Paul Morrison Bio". Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved January 8, 2007.
- ^ "Morrison points to long law career". Topeka Capital-Journal. October 22, 2006. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
- ^ "Race for Attorney General". Lawrence Journal-World. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 8, 2007.
- ^ "Taking the oath [under LEGISLATURE: Maintenance backlog at state universities is priority]". The Kansas City Star. Vol. 127, no. 113 (Kansas City ed.). Kansas City, Missouri. January 8, 2007. p. A8. ISSN 0745-1067. Retrieved January 8, 2007 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Paul Morrison: Rate of women killed by men in state is disturbing". The Wichita Eagle. October 19, 2007. Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
- ^ "Crime prevention: Educating Kansans about the dangers of Internet crime is probably the best way to protect the state's consumers and children". The Lawrence Journal-World. September 27, 2007. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
- ^ "Sex scandal rocks A.G. | CJOnline.com". Archived from the original on September 11, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
- ^ "Morrison resigns". Lawrence Journal-World. December 14, 2007. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Written at Topeka. "Morrison must decide fate of campaign funds". The Wichita Eagle. Vol. 136, no. 28. Wichita, Kansas: The Wichita Eagle and Beacon Publishing Co. Associated Press. January 28, 2008. p. B3 [p. 9 on Newspapers.com]. ISSN 1046-3127 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Written at Topeka. "Third attorney general in a little over a year: Stephen Six is sworn in as new attorney general / SIX". The Wichita Eagle. Vol. 136, no. 32. Wichita, Kansas: The Wichita Eagle and Beacon Publishing Co. Eagle news services (Contributing: Associated Press, Kansas City Star). February 1, 2008. pp. A1, A5. ISSN 1046-3127 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Olathe & Overland Park, KS Criminal Defense Attorneys". Paul Morrison Law. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.