Fletcher will be allowed to create legal defense fund [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Fri, Aug. 25, 2006
Fletcher will be allowed to create legal defense fund
JOE BIESK
Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher can set up a legal defense fund to accept donations to help pay for costs associated with his criminal charges that were dismissed, an ethics panel ruled Friday.

However, Fletcher may not accept money from donors who have business dealings with state agencies that the governor has direct involvement with, the Executive Branch Ethics Commission said in an advisory opinion.

The opinion from the ethics panel comes a day after Special Judge David E. Melcher approved a negotiated settlement in a misdemeanor case in which Fletcher was charged with violating state hiring laws.

For the past year, a special grand jury has been investigating state hiring decisions by the Fletcher administration. Fletcher was indicted in May on charges of criminal conspiracy, official misconduct and political discrimination.
(snip/...)

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/15360524.htm



Ernie Fletcher & acquaintance