8
Universitv Daily Kansan
Campus/Area
Friday, Nov. 8, 1985
Stephan won't pay Tomson
United Press International
TOPEKA — Attorney General Robert Stephan said yesterday that he would not pay $265,000 demanded by a former employee to prevent the filing of a new lawsuit against him.
Talking to reporters after a meeting with the state Republican Executive Committee, Stephan made comments indicating he would fight back against actions taken against him by the employee, Marcia Tomson, and her lawyer, Margie Phelps.
Tomson last week threatened to file a new lawsuit against Stephan after he disclosed some terms of the secret settlement in a sexual harassment suit Tomson had filed against him.
Stephan was asked whether he would pay $265,000 demanded by Tomson to settle again.
"There's no way I'm going to pay that kind of money." Stephan said.
After his closed-door session with 20 top state Republican leaders, Stephan said the thought of giving up the gubernatorial race had never occurred to him. He was one of six potential candidates who met with the GOP panel.
Stephan pinned much of his troubles on what he called a vendetta against him by unnamed people, including the Phelps law firm.
"Obviously behind all this is an effort to ruin me politically," he said.
He said he knew he risked stirring up controversy when he disclosed that $24,000 was paid by him to Tomson to settle the suit. He added that he knew now that it was a mistake to settle the matter in secret in the first place.
"There's no doubt in my mind that, as governor, I would never, ever allow such a secret deal to go through again," he said.
Stephan and state GOP chairman, Vern Chesbro, said after the meeting that the attorney general's problems with Tomson and Phelps were discussed, but committed members of the press concerns about the situation.
Stephan said no one suggested he get out of the race.
"Naw, we didn't even get into
that," he said. "There was not even any talk about who should and shouldn't run."
Chesbro said the committee decided to wait to see how Stephan's situation turns out.
Stephan began fighting back earlier yesterday when he said his office would make a full investigation of a remark suggesting that Phelps should be shot. When the investigation is complete, he said, the file will be turned over to Shawnee County District Attorney Gene Olander for review.
"He says 'I'm going to fight back because I've done nothing wrong,' and I think we believe him." Chesbro said.
stephan obtained from Phelps a copy of an affidavit by a man who said he overheard Kay Houser, the chairman of the Governor's Committee on Crime Prevention, suggest that Phelps be shot. Alleging that the conversation was serious, the affidavit also alleged that Director Tom Kelly of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation agreed to the suggestion.
Police suspect arson in Oliver
By a Kansan reporter
KU police are investigating series of small fires thought to be son that occurred between Sept. and Nov. 5 on the fifth floor of Oliv Hall. KU police Sgt. John Brothe said yesterday.
Brothers said the residence hall manager told police Wednesday that 11 small fires had been started in the residence hall.
Although none of the small fires
caused significant property damage, Brothers said, neither the police nor housing office officials are considering the fires pranks.
In Kansas, arson is defined as damage to any building or property of another by fire, and if the building is occupied, the crime is considered aggravated arson. Brothers said.
Brothers said arson was a class C felony, punishable by a three- to 20-year prison term and a fine of up to $15,000. Aggravated arison is a court-ordered sentence and carries a prison term of five years for sale and a fine of up to $15,000, he said.
"These are written up as ag-gravated arson." Brothers said.
Fire may not be accidental
By a Kansan reporter
under control; McSwall said, but
damage to the house was extensive.
A fire Wednesday evening that caused $18,000 in damages to a Lawrence home is being investigated by the Douglas Country Fire Investigation Squad, Jim McSain, Lawrence fire chief, said yesterday.
"indications are the fire was not accidental." MeSwain said.
Firefighters were called at about 9 p.m. to 835 Garfield St., and took about 15 minutes to bring the fire
Although he knew what had started the fire and in what area of the home the fire started, McSwain said, he would not release the information until the investigation was completed.
The fire investigation squad was at the scene for several hours Wednesday evening and continued to investigate yesterday, he said.
Ken Stoner, director of student housing, said police suspected "two or three students" of starting the fires, and had asked him to file a complaint.
"I will file on any charges the police recommend." Stoner said.
"The Wiz" will be shown at 7:30 p.m. today at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries building, 1204 Oread Ave.
On Campus
The Biology Club will meet at 4 p.m. today in the Sunflower Room of the Kansas Union.
Mark W. Casteel, admissions representative from Stetson University College of Law, will meet with pre-law students at 2 p.m. today in the Pine Room of the Union.
The Strat-o-matic Baseball Club will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in Parlor C of the Union.
The KU Sword & Shield will meet at 8 p.m. Monday in the Walnut Room of the Union.
The Chrysalis Coalition will meet at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Oread Room of the Union.
LAWRENCE STORE NOW OPEN! 738 NEW HAMPSHIRE (913) 841-BOBS
On the Record
Wednesday morning from outside Elvira Angleetti Interiors, 1015 W. Ninth St., Lawrence police said. The signs, which said "Elvira Angletti," were removed from mountings 8 feet above the ground, police said.
Cameras, musical instruments and stereo equipment, valued together at $1,554, were stolen Tuesday evening from an apartment rented by two students, Lawrence police said yesterday. Police said the apartment might have been entered through a sliding glass door. A suspect is being investigated, police said.
Two 4-by-6 wooden signs, valued at $500 each, were stolen early
A student's purse was stolen Monday morning from Wescoe Hall, KU police said. The bag and its contents, which included two Pell Grant checks and a department store payroll check, were valued at $884.
An antique portrait valued at $5,000 was returned to Lewis Hall Wednesday, KU police said. The portrait of the wife of Luther N. Lewis, the hall's benefactor, was stolen between 5 p.m. Oct. 15 and 9 a.m. Oct. 16. On Wednesday, the portrait was found in the second-floor lobby of the hall.
The student had put her purse on the floor before it was stolen, police said.
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