Judge clears former Kentucky secretary of state Alison Lundergan Grimes of ethics charges
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Former Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes has been cleared of ethics charges stemming from allegations that the one-time Democratic rising star abused her access to voter registration data to benefit herself and fellow Democrats.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled Monday that Grimes legally accessed the data while “acting in the scope of her public duties” as secretary of state.
“It is unclear how the commission can penalize the commonwealth’s chief election official for having access to voter data, or downloading it to a flash drive when it has failed to identify any illegal or unethical use of such data,” Shepherd said in his order.
Grimes had faced a $10,000 fine after the state Executive Branch Ethics Commission said that she committed ethics violations by improperly ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data. The judge’s reversal of the commission’s order means Grimes won’t have to pay the fine.
Related articles
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has added a stop in Luxembourg to a trip to Belgium in September, a three-d2024-05-21Pseudoephedrine could be back on the shelves as soon as June
Associate Health Minister David Seymour. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver2024-05-21Government warned against repealing Oranga Tamariki's Treaty commitments
Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act introduced legislative obligations and explicit duties on the2024-05-21Pharmac inks deal with GlaxoSmithKline for new cancer, HIV and COPD drugs
The government drug-funding agency said the "bundle agreement" had allowed it to find savings on som2024-05-21Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired pitcher Yohan Ramírez from the New York Mets for2024-05-21Health NZ chairperson resigns after less than a year in position
Dame Karen Poutasi became chairperson of Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand in July. Photo: RNZ / Ang2024-05-21
atest comment