Draft:List of Kentucky political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. State of Kentucky. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included. Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal. Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence. Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included. Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings. The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later. Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation. Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Kentucky

 * Jeff Hoover (R) State Representative and House Speaker from District 83 was sued by one of his staff for excessive harassment. Also named were Reps. Brian Linder, Michael Meredith and Jim DeCesare. In retaliation, Ms. Ginger Mills, Hoovers Chief of Staff, sued her.  In return, the complainant, sued both Hoover and Mills for retaliating.  Finally, Hoover, Wills, Linder, Meredith, DeCeasar offered a secret settlement agreement of $110,000 which the staffer accepted .  Ms. Wills also resigned and Hoover resigned as House Speaker as well. (2018)


 * David Narramore (R) Executive Committeeman of the Republican Party of Kentucky and Chairman of the Letcher County Republican Party, was arrested for exposing himself in a department store bathroom and resisting arrest. He was found guilty and resigned both positions. (2017)


 * Dan Johnson (Kentucky politician) (R) State Representative from the 49th District, was accused of two counts of molesting an underage girl in the basement of his church. An investigation led both political parties to call for his resignation.  Though he denied the charges, he committed suicide soon after. (2017)


 * Ben Waide (R) State Representative of District 10, was accused of campaign violations. He was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months supervision. (2016)


 * Timothy M. Longmeyer (D) Deputy Attorney General, who also oversaw the Kentucky Employees’ Health Plan ("KEHP"), was accused of bribery in a kickback scheme netting him $22,500. He was found guilty and sentenced to 70 months in prison. (2016)


 * Richie Farmer Jr. (R) Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, pled guilty to two counts of theft and abuse of power. The former star basketball player was ordered to repay $120,000 and sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for violating ethics and personnel laws. (2012)


 * Steve Nunn (R) Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, after violating a protective order against him, Nunn pled guilty to murdering his ex-girlfriend. He received a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. (2011)