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bishop · Jun 10, 2006, 02:06 pm

Quote:

CHICAGO (Reuters) -- Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he was involved in an illegal scheme to hire political allies for merit-based state jobs.

Fletcher, the first Republican to lead Kentucky in more than three decades, entered the pleas through a lawyer in Franklin County District Court in Frankfort, court officials said.

He was indicted last month by a grand jury on three misdemeanor counts -- official misconduct, which carries a possible one-year sentence, and conspiracy and violating a prohibition against political discrimination, which each carry six-month penalties.

While two of the three charges also stipulate removal from state office upon conviction, most legal observers say that would not likely apply to the governor, whose removal is subject to impeachment proceedings spelled out in the state constitution.

Friday's arraignment follows a year of controversy stemming from the allegations that Republicans violated state law by ignoring merit and hiring political supporters for civil service jobs.

At a state party meeting in Louisville last weekend, the physician and former U.S. congressman said he still planned to be a candidate for re-election in 2007.

After more than a dozen indictments of current and former members of his administration, Fletcher announced a blanket pardon last year that ended investigation into the alleged wrongdoing.

In announcing the pardon, which was upheld in a decision by the Kentucky Supreme Court last month, Fletcher specifically exempted himself, thus opening the way for his own indictment.

i've lost count of the number of politicians indicted/convicted over the past 2-3 years... this is pretty friggin ridiculous, but i'm glad that people in government are at least prosecuting these corrupt scumbags.

Scribbler1 · Jun 10, 2006, 02:33 pm

It kind of makes me wonder who has the political clout to AVOID any unpleasant light being shed on their activities. If there are a lot more indictments, etc., than there used to be , how many MORE are under the radar.

The only time you catch a lot of fish is when the lake is FULL of them.

Osborn F Enready · Jun 10, 2006, 03:35 pm

Perhaps we should elect a cat from a third party, and start to root out the fish out of water in both major parties?

“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.”
-Thomas Edison

“A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
-William Shedd

“All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.”
-Victor Hugo

Jun 10, 2006, 02:33 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
Scribbler1 Skeptical Patriot Posts: 7,746	It kind of makes me wonder who has the political clout to AVOID any unpleasant light being shed on their activities. If there are a lot more indictments, etc., than there used to be , how many MORE are under the radar. The only time you catch a lot of fish is when the lake is FULL of them. Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.

Jun 10, 2006, 03:35 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	Perhaps we should elect a cat from a third party, and start to root out the fish out of water in both major parties? “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” -Thomas Edison “A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” -William Shedd “All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” -Victor Hugo Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready