As the investigation continues into suspicious letters mailed to Kansas lawmakers and other public officials, Republican leaders in the Statehouse say they will “not be intimidated by extremists who look to undermine the will of the people we were elected to serve.”
The suspicious letters began coming to light late Friday, with an investigation involving the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kansas Highway Patrol and several currently-unspecified police and fire departments. House 76th District Representative and Coffey County Undersheriff Eric Smith received a letter, with another letter initially handled by the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office for an unnamed recipient.
Early investigation results indicate the substance is negative for “common biological agents of concern.” The Republican leadership statement says the last few days have been “stressful” for legislator family members and others “impacted by this cowardly attempt to intimidate the Legislature.” House and Senate leaders are also asking other lawmakers to be cautious when opening their mail because the case is still under investigation.
About 100 suspicious letters have been noted by the KBI.
