Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (https://kycir.org/tag/kentucky/)
Amid growing scrutiny of Kentucky law enforcement’s use of asset forfeiture, more than twice as many agencies disclosed last year how much cash and property they seized than they did two years prior.
Of 126 individuals charged as “youthful offenders” in Jefferson County, 117 of them — 93 percent — were black.
Kentucky state law requires emergency rooms to perform forensic sexual assault exams on-site, but hospitals without specially trained nurses sometimes send rape victims away.
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.
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.
Kentucky law says seized money must be used for direct law enforcement purposes. A KyCIR review of $3.7 million in spending records shows agencies take varied interpretations of that law.
In Kentucky, 11 percent of police agencies report how much suspected drug money they seize every year. How much nearly 300 other agencies take is unclear.
Before Hector Fonseca was accused of sexual harassment at work — a claim that an internal investigation did not substantiate — judges had twice issued protective orders against him for domestic violence allegations.
The “child bride” bill, which makes 18 the legal age of marriage in Kentucky, passed the House unanimously Friday.
Independent candidate for governor says KRS’ alternative investments require more transparency, public accountability.