By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

COLUMBUS, Kan. — Cherokee County Attorney Michael Goodrich has a new attorney to defend him against charges of extortion, wire fraud and witness intimidation.

U.S. District Judge Monti Belot on Monday approved Kurt Kerns’ motion to withdraw as Goodrich’s attorney. Kerns had filed the motion on Friday.

Michael D. Hepperly, whose law office is in Wichita, on Friday filed his entry of appearance on Goodrich’s behalf in U.S. District Court. Kerns, also based in Wichita, cited Hepperly’s appearance as Goodrich’s attorney of record in his motion to withdraw.

The information is contained in court records filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita. Hepperly did not immediately return a phone call placed late Monday afternoon.

Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison on Friday announced Goodrich’s resignation effective Dec. 1. Assistant Attorney General Veronica Dersch was sworn in Friday as acting Cherokee County Attorney.

One extortion charge alleges Goodrich unlawfully received money and favors from the owner and managers of Sensations Gentleman’s Club. The club in rural Galena featured women dancing nude. Another charge alleges that a club employee gave the club’s money to Goodrich, with the management’s approval, for use inside the club. The charge alleges the action took place when co-defendant Timothy Schooley asked the club employee for money to be used for the club’s waitresses and dancers.

The wire-fraud charge alleges the club’s manager called Goodrich to get a traffic ticket dismissed and Goodrich dismissed the ticket.

The witness intimidation charge alleges Goodrich tried to intimidate assistant Cherokee County Attorney Garth Adams into providing untruthful answers when he was scheduled to be questioned by FBI agents.