TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Shawnee County District Attorney's Office expressed concern Monday over comments from Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal.

District Attorney Chad Taylor launched an investigation into whether legislative dinners hosted by Gov. Sam Brownback at Cedar Crest violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act. The Governor's office says the dinners were purely social and were within the law, however, concern arose because some gatherings included a quorum of committee members.

As part of the inquiry, Taylor sent a letter to all lawmakers, advising them to keep any emails or other records that might be considered evidence in the investigation. The request drew criticism from O'Neal, who told the Associated Press Friday that he advised individual lawmakers to not respond immediately.

In response Monday, Taylor issued a statement saying he hopes the comments don't mean O'Neal plans to obstruct or delay the inquiry.

"I certainly understand that the Kansas Constitution may enable individual legislators to prolong or even prevent us from conducting a thorough and complete investigation, but such actions certainly would not reflect the spirit of the Kansas Open Meetings Act," Taylor's statement reads. "Hiding behind legislative immunity under these circumstances is not only inconsistent with the governor’s commitment to openness and transparency, it would not serve the people of Kansas who have a right to know whether or not the Kansas Open Meetings Act has been violated."

Taylor's statement also thanks the Governor's Office for its cooperation and stresses that an investigation does not automatically mean a violation of the KOMA has occurred.

Brownback had seven meetings in January for Republicans on 13
legislative committees. He planned a gathering Monday evening for a bipartisan group of lawmakers.