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AG Schmidt: Time is now for Keystone pipeline expansion

August 13, 2013, 11:02 am
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TOPEKA – (August 13, 2013) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today reaffirmed his support for approval of the Keystone Pipeline project in North America. Schmidt joined 20 other state attorneys general in signing a petition sent to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

“This pipeline will provide stable North American energy resources and economic benefits to our state and our nation,” Schmidt said. “The project will employ thousands of Americans and help reduce reliance on unstable sources of foreign energy.”

The Keystone pipeline proposal calls for crude oil pumped in Canada to be transported to facilities in the southern United States for petroleum refining. The U.S. Department of State is currently reviewing a permit application and will make a recommendation on a pending Presidential Permit Application. The permit application has been under federal review since 2008.
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AG Schmidt: Kansas concealed carry licenses now recognized in Georgia

August 14, 2013, 9:43 am
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TOPEKA – (August 14, 2013) – Georgia has notified Kansas that it has begun recognizing Kansas concealed carry licenses, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.

Georgia is now the 33rd state to recognize Kansas concealed carry licenses, and the third state to begin recognizing Kansas licenses since the passage of a new law in Kansas earlier this year. That legislation, recommended by the Kansas Attorney General’s office, allows all valid out-of-state permits to be recognized in Kansas when the non-resident permit holder is traveling temporarily in Kansas.

Georgia’s reciprocal recognition will allow Kansas concealed carry license holders to lawfully carry concealed handguns in conformance with Georgia laws while traveling in that state.

A complete list of states that recognize the Kansas concealed carry license is available on the Attorney General’s website at www.ag.ks.gov. There currently are 67,240 active Kansas concealed carry permits.

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Man sentenced in Wilson County for meth and criminal threat charges

August 14, 2013, 12:01 pm
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Michael HarrisFREDONIA – (August 14, 2013) – A Kansas man was sentenced today to almost eight years in prison on charges of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and making a criminal threat, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Michael Harris, 24, Neodesha, pleaded no contest to the charges on June 7. He was sentenced today to 93 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections by District Court Judge David W. Rogers in Wilson County District Court. The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant Attorney General Greg Benefiel of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case.

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AG Schmidt: Kansas scores high with new anti-human trafficking law

August 15, 2013, 8:22 am
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A leading national organization has moved Kansas into the top tier of states for new efforts to combat human trafficking, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.
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AG Schmidt: 51 crime victims receive support

August 15, 2013, 2:00 pm
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TOPEKA – (August 15, 2013) – The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board today awarded financial assistance to 51 victims of crime at its August meeting, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Awards were made in 23 new cases. Additional expenses were paid in 28 previously submitted cases. The awards totaled $68,012.

The Division of Crime Victims Compensation in Schmidt’s office administers the Crime Victims Compensation program, which was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for their unexpected expenses such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral costs.

The state’s three-member Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and decides how much money will be awarded to each claimant. Awards are limited to a maximum total amount of $25,000 with limitations of $5,000 for funeral expense, $3,500 for outpatient mental health counseling, $10,000 for inpatient mental health treatment and $1,000 for grief counseling for family survivors of homicide victims.

The program is funded by a portion of assessed court costs and fines, inmate wages, parole fees and restitution paid by convicted offenders.

For more information about the Crime Victims Compensation Program call (785) 296-2359 or visit the Attorney General’s website at www.ag.ks.gov.

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Scam Alert: “Free” medical alert devices are not really free

August 16, 2013, 1:00 pm
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Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today warned Kansans about a new scam targeting senior citizens offering “free emergency medical alert” devices.

• File a complaint.
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AG proposes ‘Hard 50’ legislation

August 19, 2013, 9:07 am
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AG Schmidt: Record Medicaid fraud recoveries benefit taxpayers

August 22, 2013, 9:22 am
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The Kansas attorney general’s office recovered more than $33 million in taxpayer funds through its Medicaid fraud enforcement last fiscal year, setting a new one-year record for recoveries, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced.

• Read the report (pdf)
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Ottawa County man found guilty of rape

August 26, 2013, 3:43 pm
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MINNEAPOLIS – (August 26, 2013) – An Ottawa County man was found guilty Friday afternoon of rape and other sex crimes, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Bernard Orville Wallin, 79, Minneapolis, was found guilty of one count of rape, three counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and two counts of aggravated sexual battery by an Ottawa County jury. Wallin was found not guilty on one count of rape, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and one count of aggravated sexual battery.

Judge Jerome Helmer presided over the trial. Sentencing was scheduled for November 12 at 9:30 a.m.

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Assistant Attorney General Steve Karrer of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case.

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AG fines Missouri, California companies nearly $1 million for violating Kansas No-Call Act

August 30, 2013, 7:04 am
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Two out-of-state companies have been ordered to pay nearly $1 million in combined penalties and fees for telemarketing law violations, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced.

• Register for the Do-Not Call List
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Attorney General’s office, KBI to provide consumer protection, personal safety information at Kansas State Fair

September 4, 2013, 11:22 am
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TOPEKA – (September 4, 2013) – The Kansas Attorney General’s office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation will provide Kansans with consumer protection and public safety information at the Kansas State Fair, Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.

“An important mission of the Attorney General’s office is to educate Kansans about ways to protect themselves from scams and crime,” Schmidt said. “As thousands of Kansans gather to celebrate the 100 years of the State Fair, we look forward to sharing this important information once again at our fair booth.”

The booth will be in the Meadowlark Building on the fairgrounds in Hutchinson. Staff from the Attorney General’s Office and KBI will be available throughout the fair to answer questions.

Attorney General Schmidt will be at the fair on Sunday, September 8, and available at the booth to answer questions and listen to Kansans’ concerns from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The Kansas State Fair opens Friday, September 6, and runs through Sunday, September 15.

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AG Schmidt commends Legislature on passage of ‘Hard 50’ fix

September 4, 2013, 3:06 pm
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Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today issued the following statement on the passage of the “Hard 50” fix by the Kansas Legislature.
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AG Schmidt statement on 'Hard 50' bill becoming law

September 6, 2013, 8:19 pm
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TOPEKA – (September 6, 2013) – The legislation unanimously approved Wednesday by a special session of the Kansas legislature (2013 Special Session House Bill 2002) today was signed into law by Governor Brownback and was published in the Kansas Register by Secretary of State Kobach. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued the following statement on the measure becoming law:

"I am truly grateful to the Legislature for moving swiftly to enact this measure, to Speaker Merrick and President Wagle for expediting the bill's processing after approval, to Governor Brownback for moving swiftly to sign it into law, and to Secretary Kobach for making arrangement to have it published immediately in the Kansas Register.  Only four days after the Kansas Legislature convened in special session, the 'Hard 50' bill now has the force of law.  From this day forward, those in our state who murder other human beings with premeditation and do so with aggravating circumstances can be assured of facing a jury of their peers whose actions can result in the killer's removal from society for at least 50 years.  The law has been restored to where it was prior to the June 17 decision by the United States Supreme Court, and the longstanding will of the people of Kansas on this matter is once again the law of our land."

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Fort Scott man found guilty of murder, aggravated arson

September 18, 2013, 12:03 pm
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FORT SCOTT – (September, 18, 2013) – A Bourbon County jury today found Brent Bollinger, 26, of Fort Scott, guilty of felony  murder, aggravated arson and aggravated child endangerment after a two-week trial, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Bollinger was charged with the crimes in the 2011 death of his wife, injuries to his son and the burning of the family’s home near Fort Scott.  Judge Mark A. Ward presided over the trial and scheduled sentencing for November 22 at 9 a.m.

The case was investigated by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Scott Police Department, Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Assistant Attorneys General Kristiane Bryant and Steve Karrer of Schmidt’s office and Bourbon County Attorney Terri Johnson prosecuted the case.  

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Sharon Springs man sentenced on insurance fraud charges, ordered to repay $47,685

September 19, 2013, 8:25 am
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SHARON SPRINGS – (September 19, 2013) – A Sharon Springs attorney and former insurance agent has been ordered to repay $47,685 and will serve 18 months probation after pleading guilty to forgery, failing to forward an insurance premium, theft by deception and false impersonation, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Richard Dean Dinkel of Sharon Springs pleaded guilty to the charges on July 25 and was sentenced in Wallace County District Court September 6. The sentence includes an underlying term of 14 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections, but Dinkel was subsequently granted probation for a term of 18 months. He is also required to perform 200 hours of community service.

Dinkel was a licensed attorney at the time of the crimes, and was licensed as a title insurance agent prior to the crimes. He is no longer licensed to sell title insurance and his license to practice law is currently suspended as a result of his criminal conviction.

Special Assistant Attorney General Brenda Clary with the Kansas Insurance Department prosecuted the case.

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AG Schmidt: More than 100 crime victims receive support

September 20, 2013, 7:13 am
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TOPEKA – (September 20, 2013) – The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board yesterday awarded financial assistance to 105 victims of crime at its September meeting, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Awards were made in 43 new cases. Additional expenses were paid in 62 previously submitted cases. The awards totaled $271,577.

The Division of Crime Victims Compensation in Schmidt’s office administers the Crime Victims Compensation program, which was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for their unexpected expenses such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral costs.

The state’s three-member Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and decides how much money will be awarded to each claimant. Awards are limited to a maximum total amount of $25,000 with limitations of $5,000 for funeral expense, $3,500 for outpatient mental health counseling, $10,000 for inpatient mental health treatment and $1,000 for grief counseling for family survivors of homicide victims.

The program is funded by a portion of assessed court costs and fines, inmate wages, parole fees and restitution paid by convicted offenders.

For more information about the Crime Victims Compensation Program call (785) 296-2359 or visit the Attorney General’s website at www.ag.ks.gov.

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AG Schmidt: Kansas concealed carry licenses now recognized in Alabama

September 23, 2013, 7:32 am
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TOPEKA – (September 23, 2013) – Kansas concealed carry licenses are now recognized in the State of Alabama, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.

The Office of Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange last week notified the Kansas Attorney General’s office that a new Alabama law, which took effect August 1, recognizes valid concealed carry licenses from all other states. A similar law was passed by the Kansas legislature earlier this year, which allows all valid out-of-state permits to be recognized in Kansas when the non-resident permit holder is traveling temporarily in Kansas.

Alabama is the 34th state to recognize Kansas concealed carry licenses.

A complete list of states that recognize the Kansas concealed carry license is available on the Attorney General’s website at www.ag.ks.gov. There currently are 71,365 active Kansas concealed carry permits.

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Former Ness City man sentenced to additional 12 ½ years in prison for escape, aggravated burglary

September 25, 2013, 8:36 am
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NESS CITY – (September 25, 2013) – A former Ness City man was sentenced yesterday to an additional 151 months in prison after pleading guilty to escape from custody and two counts of aggravated burglary, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Benito Cardenas, Jr., 38, was awaiting sentencing on two Jessica’s Law convictions when he escaped from the Ness County jail in August 2012. Cardenas was later apprehended in Trego County. Cardenas is currently serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for 25 years for the Jessica’s Law convictions. Today’s sentences will run consecutive to his prior sentence.

Judge Glenn Braun sentenced Cardenas to 130 months in prison for aggravated burglary in Trego County District Court. Judge Bruce T. Gatterman sentenced Cardenas to an additional 21 months for aggravated escape from custody in Ness County District Court. Cardenas pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2013.

The charges were investigated by the Ness County Sheriff’s Office, Trego County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Assistant Attorneys General Kristiane Bryant and Dennis Jones of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the cases.

Photo courtesy of Ness County Sheriff's Office.
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Attorney General’s Office statement on Greenwood County investigation

October 9, 2013, 9:34 am
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Kevin Welsh

TOPEKA – (October 9, 2013) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office today released the following statement:

The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies, continues to search for 35-year-old Kevin Robert Welsh of Toronto, Kan. Welsh is wanted in connection with the deaths of Keith and Sheila Kriesel, Eureka, and the shooting of Catherine Scheff, Eureka, on October 2, 2013. Welsh is believed to be armed and may still be in Greenwood County.

The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement requests the assistance of the public in obtaining information to aid in apprehending Welsh. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-KS-CRIME (1-800-572-7463) or 911.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office will assume responsibility for any resulting prosecution. The Greenwood County Attorney has requested this assistance.

Any public comments on the investigation and prosecution are governed by the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 3.6, Trial Publicity, and Rule 3.8, Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor. All media requests or inquiries should be directed to Don Brown, Communications Director, Office of the Attorney General, 120 S.W. 10th, 2nd Floor, Topeka, Kansas 66612, 785-296-2215.

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AG Schmidt: Consumers to receive refunds from deceptive marketing company

October 10, 2013, 9:25 am
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Kansas consumers who were misled into signing up and paying for discount clubs and memberships may be entitled to refunds, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced.
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