Posted on 8/29/2005, 11:35:40 PM by nj26
Gov. Ernie Fletcher on Monday granted blanket pardons to everyone who has been or might be charged in the investigation of violations of personnel laws in his administration but said he would not pardon himself.
Fletcher said those who might have violated the law, which he admitted happened and blamed largely on "overeager young managers," would face the penalties that could be imposed by two administrative agencies that are also investigating.
Fletcher repeated his accusation that Democratic Attorney General Greg Stumbo has been carrying out a political vendetta. He also compared most of the charges that have been brought to minor violations of fishing laws.
Fletcher will appear Tuesday before the special grand jury that has charged nine current and former members of his administration with misdemeanor crimes. But he said he would not answer questions.
Stumbo should drop his investigation and get on with more important business, Fletcher said.
Prosecutor Scott Crawford-Sutherland said earlier in the day the work of the grand jury would continue whether pardons were issued or not.
(Excerpt) Read more at wkyt.com ...
cool... can he parden himself?
"can he pardon himself?"
I'm not sure, but if that were allowed, I suspect that Bill Clinton would have tried it in 1998.
Unbridled Ba... -Spirit!!!
Great tagline... the Democratic party's demographic undoing began in 1973.
oh no! Is Fletcher in trouble? I really liked him. (and anyone was better than Patton.)
He can pardon himself, but he has declined to do so. We'll see...
That's not Fletcher, that's Patton admitting his infidelities. I hope Fletcher does OK, I believe he is a good man but the attorney general, Stumbo is definitely a huge Demonrat.
A Kentucky Ping, please.
Well, yeah.
What *is* it with your governors?
DemocRATic Attorney General Greg Stumbo, is an outright W***E!/$LUT!
These laws have been "on the book" for Decades....only when a Republican Gov. gets in office do these laws "magically" become active. The Frankfort 'RATs never (ever) paid any attention to Ethics...unless they, were battling some other faction within the their corrupt party...
Kentucky ping - What do you all make of this?
Keep in mind that these so called "crimes" are Misdemeanors" under Kentucky law. Something akin to Jaywalking. The previous RAT governor actually committed Felonies, but apparently Stumbo never noticed.
"I'd characterize it this way: He ran on a platform of believe me and I will run state government differently," said former Democratic Gov. Julian Carroll, who is now a state senator from Frankfort. "He turns out to be the biggest deceiver that we've had in the governor's office in my lifetime. Rather than a believer, he's truly a deceiver."
Oh really, Julian?
----------------------
Julian M. Carroll (1974-1979)
Gov. Carroll led the state through some of its toughest tragedies, including the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire that killed 165 people. He also was investigated by the FBI for allegedly favoring his friends and supporters with personal service contracts and leases.
One grand jury investigation, on an insurance scam, sent Nashville-based banker Sonny Hunt, a close associate of the governor, to prison.
Just a few days before Mr. Carroll left office, another federal grand jury probe was mounted into his two children's receipt of monthly $500 checks from W.B. “Bill” Terry Sr., a Lexington businessman.
Mr. Carroll had pushed special conflict-of-interest legislation through the General Assembly so he could appoint Mr. Terry to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. Mr. Terry's Bluegrass Coca-Cola Bottling Co. had the exclusive soda contract with UK.
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/09/29/loc_scandals_beset_ky.html
Shoot. I should have continued with that article. Let it all hang out...
John Y. Brown Jr. (1979-83)
Gov. Brown, the owner of Kentucky Fried Chicken who brought his Miss America wife, Phyllis George, to town, was investigated by a federal grand jury about a $1.3 million cash withdrawal from a Miami bank. He testified it was to pay gambling debts. He swore in 1983 never to gamble again.
Mr. Brown, one-time co-owner of Trumps nightclub in Cincinnati, and his partners were included in law enforcement and surveillance reports in connection with “The Company,” a 1970s and 1980s cocaine and gun-smuggling ring that operated out of Lexington.
The Company's criminal activity included the spectacular death of former Lexington police officer Drew Thornton, who jumped out of a plane with $75 million in cocaine and a bad parachute strapped to his back, landing in a Knoxville driveway.
The Company came dangerously close to Mr. Brown's circle of friends and business and political associates. It is the topic of The Bluegrass Conspiracy, Sally Denton's 1990 true-crime classic.
Martha Layne Collins (1983-87)
One of the nation's first six female governors, Ms. Collins chaired the Democratic National Convention one year and was considered for the vice presidential nomination eventually taken up by Geraldine Ferraro of New York.
A former schoolteacher who brought Toyota and its millions in development to Georgetown, Ms. Collins was investigated after leaving office in connection with a $35,000 grand piano paid for by a company that did business with her administration. The piano, emblazoned with the Collins family crest, was presented to her in 1984. Statewide debate raged over another mansion fixture: a tanning bed.
But it was a federal probe into her husband's activities that actually derailed her national political career.
Bill Collins was convicted on charges that he extorted $1.1 million in contributions from state contractors while his wife was governor.
Wallace G. Wilkinson (1987-91)
Gov. Wilkinson was investigated by a federal grand jury and the FBI in connection with overseas business deals, resulting in an audit by the Italian Tax Police.
He also came under scrutiny after large state contracts went to firms that gave money to his wife's failed gubernatorial campaign. A separate investigation was launched on charges that a company he owned conspired to buy stolen textbooks.
Mr. Wilkinson recorded his trials and tribulations in the mansion in his autobiography, You Can't Do That, Governor!
He died July 5, but Kentucky courts still are sorting through a $418 million bankruptcy case involving e-Campus, an online textbook company he created in the Internet startup boom.
Brereton C. Jones (1991-95)
Gov. Jones, owner of Airdrie Stud breeding stable, was investigated by the FBI in connection with a 1990 “Preakness Party.” At least 22 National Guard officers gave more than $36,000 to his campaign and later benefited from promotions and state appointments, investigators alleged.
There also was a state arson investigation at his Woodford County horse farm. A barn, home to well-insured thoroughbreds that were infected with equine herpes and unable to breed, burned to the ground.
Paul E. Patton (1995-present)
The coal operater and engineer from Pike County has promoted education, significantly raising the state's national rating and helping bring numerous large companies to Kentucky.
He is named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Tina Conner, a former mistress who claims he abused his power by sending investigators to her nursing home after she broke off the affair.
The FBI is investigating, and the state Attorney General's office and Ethics Commission have opened probes.
Kentucky has not seen a Republican in the Governorship in many, many years. I knew this would happen, and I truly believe it is a vendetta of sorts.
The Dems will stop at nothing to slander the Right.
Kentucky FReepers - pray for our Govenor EVERY DAY, and send him emails of encouragement.
He does respond, as I have recieved two letters from him regarding different matters since he has been there.
He is a good man, and puts his staff to work at the slightest hint of wrongdoing. I learned this first hand with a work/comp issue.
Hang in there, Ernie - I support you! JK
BTTT
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