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Judge Tosses Former Kansas AG Phill Kline’s Lawsuit Over His Suspension

Wikipedia

Former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline has lost his lawsuit against the justices of the Kansas Supreme Court who suspended his law license three years ago.

Kline challenged the validity of the court’s decision. He claimed the court violated a provision of the Kansas Constitution when five of its justices recused themselves and were replaced by temporary judges.

But a federal judge didn’t buy it and tossed Kline’s lawsuit, saying it presented a political question and therefore had to be dismissed.

The Kansas Supreme Court indefinitely suspended Kline’s license in 2013. A disciplinary panel found that Kline had committed attorney misconduct as attorney general and later as Johnson County district attorney while investigating Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.

Tom Conditt, a Cincinnati attorney representing Kline, said he would likely appeal the lawsuit’s dismissal.

Dan Margolies is editor in charge of health news at KCUR, the public radio station in Kansas City. Dan joined KCUR in April 2014. In a long and varied journalism career, he has worked as a reporter for the Kansas City Business Journal, The Kansas City Star and Reuters. In a previous life, he was a lawyer. He has also worked as a media insurance underwriter and project development director for a video production firm.