An anti-abortion group said Governor Kathleen Sebelius honored abortion provider Dr. George Tiller and his staff last year with a meal at the governor's residence. Sebelius' spokeswoman, Nicole Corcoran, confirmed that Dr. Tiller attended a reception last year at the governor's residence, but she disputes the anti-abortion group's description of the event as "honoring Tiller".

Corcoran said Sebelius donated a reception at the residence as an item for a fundraising auction for the Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus. Tiller purchased it and the event was held April 9, 2007, she said. Corcoran said Sebelius didn't control who purchased the item.

The anti-abortion group Operation Rescue contends the event shows close ties between Sebelius and the abortion industry. It published 13 photos from the event Wednesday on its web site that it said were taken during the event. Six showed Sebelius standing next to Tiller, and two showed her shaking hands with him.

Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said it obtained copies of the photos from someone who attended the April 2007 event, whom he declined to identify.

Sebelius, a Democrat, is a strong abortion rights advocate, and she has repeatedly vetoed legislation sought by anti-abortion groups.