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Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting - Nonprofit investigative journalism in Louisville, Kentucky

Peabody Award Winner 2017

Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (https://kycir.org/tag/danny-ray-johnson/)

  • About KyCIR
  • Recent Projects
    • Browse all our projects
    • LMPD Police Shootings
    • Breonna Taylor
    • Search Warrants In Louisville
    • COVID and the Unemployment Insurance Crisis
    • Prosecution Declined
    • Economic Development Failures in Eastern Ky.
    • Coronavirus Pandemic In Kentucky
    • Seized: Asset Forfeiture in Kentucky
    • Fatal Flaws: How Kentucky Is Failing Its Workers
    • The Pope’s Long Con
    • Louisville Police And Hypocritical Actions On Immigration Enforcement
    • Kentucky Constables: Untrained And Unaccountable
    • KyCIR Amplify: The Voices Behind Our Investigations
  • Coronavirus Coverage
  • Criminal Justice Investigations
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
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danny ray johnson

The Pope's Long Con

The Pope’s Long Con: An Epilogue

By KyCIR staff | February 21, 2018

The self-proclaimed Pope from Bullitt County walks down a rear stairwell at the Heart of Fire Church and steps out of sight.

His wife, Rebecca Johnson, steps forward.

dan johnson

An Update On ‘The Pope’s Long Con’

By Stephen George | December 14, 2017

The latest on our investigative series “The Pope’s Long Con.”

dan johnson

Kentucky Lawmakers Mourn The Death Of Rep. Dan Johnson After Suicide

By Ryland Barton | December 14, 2017

Kentucky State Rep. Dan Johnson’s suicide following sexual assault allegations has Frankfort reeling.

dan johnson

Kentucky State Rep. Dan Johnson Commits Suicide In Bullitt County

By Ryland Barton | December 13, 2017

State Rep. Dan Johnson committed suicide Wednesday evening, two days after the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published accusations that he sexually assaulted a minor. Johnson was a preacher from Mt. Washington in Bullitt County. He shot himself on a bridge over the Salt River, according to WDRB. Johnson posted a suicide note on Facebook Wednesday evening calling the accusations false and telling conservatives to “take a stand.”

“AMERICA will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news,” Johnson wrote.

dan johnson

Rep. Dan Johnson Refuses To Resign. What Can Fellow Legislators Do?

By Eleanor Klibanoff | December 13, 2017

“Pope” Dan Johnson’s refusal to step down amid a molestation investigation has left officials scrambling to examine what actions, if any, they could take to censure or impeach Johnson.

Government
Gov. Matt Bevin

Gov. Bevin: Rep. Dan Johnson Is ‘An Embarrassment,’ But Won’t Call For Resignation

By Ryland Barton | December 12, 2017

A day after both of Kentucky’s major political parties called for Rep. Dan Johnson to resign amid sexual assault allegations, Gov. Matt Bevin says he’s still reviewing the story and hasn’t formed an opinion on the matter.

dan johnson

Police Confirm Sexual Assault Investigation Of Rep. Dan Johnson

By Jacob Ryan | December 12, 2017

The Louisville Metro Police Department is investigating State Rep. Dan Johnson for alleged sexual abuse in his church. Johnson, a freshman lawmaker and pastor of Heart of Fire Church in the Fern Creek neighborhood, allegedly molested a 17-year-old girl on Jan. 1, 2013. Police initially opened an investigation in April 2013, but closed it months later without ever interviewing Johnson, documents show. Johnson, while refusing calls for his resignation from leaders of both political parties, denied the sexual abuse allegation in a press conference Tuesday morning.

danny ray johnson

Rep. Dan Johnson Refuses To Resign, Denies Molestation Allegation

By KyCIR staff | December 12, 2017

Kentucky Rep. Dan Johnson refused to resign Tuesday morning and said an allegation that he sexually assaulted a teenager “has no merit.”

dan johnson

What Politicians Are Saying About “Pope” Dan Johnson

By Eleanor Klibanoff and Kate Howard | December 12, 2017

A report from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting prompted calls for Rep. Danny Ray Johnson’s resignation from across the state and political spectrum.

danny ray johnson

Louisville Mayor Wants Review Of Investigation Into Lawmaker Molestation Case

By Jacob Ryan | December 11, 2017

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer wants an internal review of his police department’s handling of a years-old molestation investigation into a local preacher and state lawmaker.

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Hi, I’m Jasmine Demers, a reporter for KyCIR covering issues related to youth and social services. I’m also a corps member with Report For America, a national program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities.

My work is made possible in part by Report for America and in part by YOU. Your donation says you value this reporting, that it is important to you and to our community.

Hi, I’m Jasmine Demers, a reporter for KyCIR covering issues related to youth and social services. I’m also a corps member with Report For America, a national program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities.

My reporting brings to light the stories of some of Kentucky’s most vulnerable citizens. It has the power to change policy and create impact.

My work is made possible in part by Report for America and in part by YOU. Your donation says you value this reporting, that it is important to you and to our community.

Donate today and your gift is matched.