Topeka ? Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline says the public should get access to details of the compensation package for Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins.
“I’ve never known that the knowledge of somebody’s salary somehow has impeded success on the basketball court or football field. It just hasn’t,” Kline said in an interview with the Journal-World.
The newspaper and 6News Lawrence have filed a lawsuit asking a judge to force KU to open records about the salary and benefits being paid to Perkins, who has been athletic director since July 2003.
The newspaper and television station say the information should be made available under the Kansas Open Records Act, the state law intended to ensure public agencies and those spending public funds conduct their business in public. KU has said the information concerning Perkins’ compensation was allowed to be kept secret under the law.
The university previously has disclosed that Perkins receives an annual salary of $400,000 and fringe benefits that include two automobiles, family memberships to two country clubs and two season tickets to KU men’s basketball games.
The contract mentions that “contingent supplemental compensation is potentially available.” It has been said that additional compensation boosts Perkins’ compensation to $1 million or more.
“If it is a private source of funding for performing a public job, then the information should be available,” Kline said.
Under an agreement between attorneys for the media and KU, Douglas County District Judge Jack Murphy will examine Perkins’ compensation information and decide how to proceed with the case.
The newspaper and television station have been joined in the case by the Kansas Press Assn., which represents newspapers across the state, and The Associated Press, the world’s largest newsgathering organization.
Easier access to records sought (06-28-04)
6Sports video: Perkins’ compensation a mystery (1-17-04)