Government
After Rare Enforcement Action, Fixes Underway at Problem Kentucky Dam
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The Loch Mary dam was featured in a recent KyCIR investigation which found dozens of dangerous dams with no emergency action plan.
Sexual Harassment Allegations In Kentucky Government
State Cabinets Appeal Order To Pay KyCIR’s Legal Fees
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Two state cabinets are appealing a judge’s order that they must reimburse the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting for legal costs after withholding public records. Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip J. Shepherd ruled this spring that the Labor and Finance and Administration cabinets “willfully” violated open records laws when they refused to release the names of employees accused of sexual harassment, but internal investigations didn’t deem the allegations substantiated. Shepherd ordered the Labor Cabinet to pay more than $17,000, and the Finance and Administration Cabinet to pay more than $19,000, to KyCIR for legal costs and penalties. In a Monday filing, the Labor Cabinet said that Shepherd’s decision to award fees was an “abuse of discretion.” The cabinet argued that it operated in “good faith” in its decision to withhold records, and should not be punished for its interpretation of the law. That cabinet has already turned over the name it previously withheld of a staffer accused of sexual harassment. Court records show that Hector Fonseca was under a court order to stay away from a woman who accused him of domestic violence when a coworker in September 2016 said Fonseca exposed himself and forced her to touch his genitals.
Government
At Dangerous Kentucky Dams, Locals Aren’t Prepared For Disaster
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Eighty Kentucky dams have deficiencies and are deemed high-hazard, because a breach would threaten lives or property. Only six of those dams have complete emergency plans.
Kentucky Horse Racing Commission
In Reversal, Kentucky Will Disclose Details Of Horse Racing Fatalities
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After a KyCIR story showed Kentucky was more secretive than other horse-racing states, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is releasing details about horse racing fatalities.
Government
With Race Horse Deaths Under Scrutiny, Kentucky Keeps Details Secret
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Officials from other major racing states share which horses die, where and when. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission largely keeps that secret.
2019
Kentucky Horse Tracks Paid For Their Own Video Gambling Regulations
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Keeneland, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs and two machine manufacturers paid more than $845,000 for testing services with virtually no direct oversight from the horse racing commission.
Government
For Years, Jefferson County Clerk Sent On-The-Clock Workers To Run Private Elections
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Union halls, churches and other groups have paid the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office for decades to use their voting machines and employees for their private elections. The state auditor’s office has questioned the program’s legality.