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. |
Spring gala held in Hong KongMore air routes using homegrown aircraft C919Xi Meets Greek Prime MinisterSimplified payments to facilitate foreign visitorsSecondhand economy a winManufacturing access latest openingHealthcare MNCs upbeat on nationXi Meets Lao PresidentOnce Upon a Springtime flower show held in Macy's in New YorkXi Meets Greek Prime Minister