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.
Paris Olympic athletes to feast on freshly baked bread, select cheeses and plenty of veggie options
Inside the flagship Disneyland Hotel in Paris
Disney fanatic SLAMS park's insane price hikes
Is this the world's best airport? Face recognition check
Fascinating map reveals the WORST reviewed three
Pictured: The most Instagrammable Michelin
Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov sunk off Crimea, says Ukraine
Welcome to stench ground zero: The village where an unspeakable two
The ultimate guide to 101 FREE Easter treats taking place across Britain
Democrats vow to protect Speaker Mike Johnson from being ousted from office
Simon Bridges to chair Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency