Preceded by Phill Kline Role Lawyer Succeeded by Stephen Six Name Paul Morrison Political party Democratic Party | Religion Roman Catholic Education Washburn University Profession Attorney Spouse Joyce Morrison | |
Born June 1, 1954 (age 69)
Dodge City, Kansas ( 1954-06-01 ) | ||
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.
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Career
Morrison was sworn in as the 42nd Kansas Attorney General following a 26-year career in law enforcement. 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. Morrison took office on January 8, 2007. 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, victim services and cyber crime 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 E. Robinson. Morrison continued to personally prosecute cases as Kansas Attorney General.
Extramarital affair
In December 2007 allegations surfaced that Morrison had an 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 influence the course of an investigation.
Resignation
Morrison announced his resignation on December 14, stating that his tenure would end on January 31, 2008. On that date, Morisson was succeeded as Attorney General by Douglas County District Court Judge Stephen Six.
Later career
Paul Morrison is currently a criminal defense attorney in Olathe, Kansas. He represents people charged with a variety of sex crimes, including internet solicitation, rape, child molestation, sexual assault, statutory rape and possession/distribution of child pornography.
Awards
Morrison 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.