The American Civil Liberties Union says an official email sent by a Kansas Corporation Commission employee discussing his religious beliefs may have opened the KCC to legal liability.

Jared Bowes, a KCC media specialist, tried to put a veiled reference to Jesus into the commission’s December newsletter, but it was edited out. Bowes then used his state-issued email address to send a message to his colleagues saying “King Jesus” is “the reason for the season.”

Doug Bonney, legal director for the ACLU Foundation of Kansas, says while state employees have free speech rights, problems arise when religious statements are made using the state email system.

KCC spokesman Jesse Borjon declined comment.

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Associated Press information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal