Kentucky governor indicted on hiring-misconduct charges

May 11, 2006, 9:23PM
Kentucky governor indicted on hiring-misconduct charges

Associated Press

FRANKFORT, KY. - A grand jury indicted Gov. Ernie Fletcher on misdemeanor charges Thursday, accusing him of illegally rewarding political supporters with state jobs since taking office two years ago.

Fletcher was charged with conspiracy, official misconduct and violating a prohibition against political discrimination.

Fletcher spokesman Brett Hall said the Republican governor was not surprised, given Democratic Attorney General Greg Stumbo's ongoing investigation into the administration's hiring practices.

"This has been a politically motivated, media-driven investigation from the start," Hall said. "Governor Fletcher has said repeatedly his conscience is clear. He has done nothing wrong. We are evaluating the charges, and, likewise, we are studying our recourse of action in the wake of this malicious prosecution."

For nearly a year, the special grand jury has been investigating whether the Fletcher administration broke state law by basing personnel decisions on political considerations.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/3857950.html



_Bush & Gov. Ernie Fletcher