TOPEKA, Kan. — An anti-abortion group released photos Wednesday of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius with a prominent abortion doctor at what it called a “lavish secret party” at the governor’s official residence, but her office said the doctor bought the reception at a political group’s fundraising auction.
Dr. George Tiller was under investigation by the attorney general’s office at the time of the Cedar Crest event, held April 9, 2007. The Wichita abortion provider is one of the few U.S. doctors who perform late-term abortions.
Sebelius, a Democrat who supports abortion rights and has repeatedly vetoed legislation sought by anti-abortion groups, has been mentioned as a potential running mate for Barack Obama, her party’s likely presidential nominee.
Operation Rescue posted the photos on its website and described the event as a “lavish secret party” for Tiller, his staff and several other doctors.
“We’ve known all along that there’s very close ties,” said Troy Newman, Operation Rescue’s president. “But I was shocked that the governor would put herself in jeopardy by being so closely associated with this man, particularly in the governor’s mansion.”
Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said Wednesday that the reception Tiller attended had been offered as a prize at a fundraising auction for the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus. The caucus advocates electing women who support abortion rights to public office and holds an annual dinner to raise money each fall.
Corcoran said Tiller purchased the reception at one of the dinners.
In April 2007, Tiller was under investigation by the attorney general’s office over allegations that his clinic had performed illegal late-term abortions. The attorney general’s office eventually filed 19 misdemeanor charges; Tiller has denied wrongdoing, and the case is pending.
