Kris Van Meteren

Frustrated that the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission took no action on a complaint, last August Kris Van Meteren talked to the press explaining some details in his complaint. But,  Kansas law currently gags someone after filing an ethics complaint — even after the Commission fails to act — and Van Meteren was fined $7500 [...]

Continue reading about Ethics Commission declines action on $17,500 claim in Free Speech case (video)

After a secret Executive Session held by telephone conference call today, the Ethics Commission announced the complaint was being dropped against Kris Van Meteren for violation of Ethics Commission confidentiality rules.  Van Meteren was fined $7500 in Feb. by the Ethics Commission.
The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission released an opinion from the Attorney General’s office about [...]

Continue reading about Attorney General Says Kansas Ethics Confidentiality Rules are Unconstitutional

Kris Van Meteren was fined $7500 by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission in February in somewhat of an unusual case.
In March Van Meteren filed a law suit in Shawnee County District Court asking for judicial review of the case.
There was secret hour-long Executive Session during the April Ethics Commission meeting, with a member of the [...]

Continue reading about Kansas Ethics Commission’s Response to Van Meteren’s Request for Judicial Review

At the March 18 Kansas Governmental Ethics meeting, the Commission passed a motion to make available the documentation from the Kris Van Meteren case from February to the Attorney General and the Shawnee County District Attorney.  The information was to only be released if requested.
Ethics Commission chair, Sabrina Standifer, announced “… [...]

Continue reading about Van Meteren to appeal $7500 Fine for Free Speech in District Court

Earl Glynn on February 27th, 2009

A recent Meadowlark article, “Free Speech” May Cost Kansas Citizen $7500, gave details from a civil fine hearing held by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission in January, which was decided at their February meeting.
Kris Van Meteren brought a complaint to the Ethics Commission several months ago, and then talked to the press about his [...]

Continue reading about More Info on Van Meteren “Free Speech” Ethics Case

Earl Glynn on January 21st, 2009

The most interesting part of today’s Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission meeting was the public hearing for a complaint against Kristian Van Meteren.  A Meadowlark article last month gave the background in 1st Amendment Constitutional Right may become issue … Silence the accuser? Briefly, Van Meteren was accused of breaking confidentiality after filing a complaint with [...]

Continue reading about First Amendment Defense Thorny Issue for Ethics Commission

One can ask hypothetical questions and get guidance about Kansas Law and ethics rules from the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, but once specific information about any wrongdoing is provided to the Commission, there is no way to find what action, if any, the Commission takes.  Kansans need more transparency in the operation of the Commission.
At [...]

Continue reading about 1st Amendment Constitutional Right may become issue in Kansas Ethics Commission Hearing in January. Silence the accuser?

Saturday’s Chanute Tribune published an article, “Umbarger’s campaign expenditures questioned by foe.” The article described Senate candidate Iris Van Meter’s (R, Thayer) questioning of two expenditures in the campaign finance report filed on July 28 by her opponent, Senator Dwayne Umbarger (R, Thayer).
Umbarger’s report listed a $1738 expenditure to Carolina Carports, which was likely [...]

Continue reading about Did Senator Umbarger violate ethics rules buying a carport with campaign money? Umbarger clairvoyant?