FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Former Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes has been cleared of ethics charges stemming from allegations that the one-time Democratic rising star abused her access to voter registration data to benefit herself and fellow Democrats.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled Monday that Grimes legally accessed the data while “acting in the scope of her public duties” as secretary of state.
“It is unclear how the commission can penalize the commonwealth’s chief election official for having access to voter data, or downloading it to a flash drive when it has failed to identify any illegal or unethical use of such data,” Shepherd said in his order.
Grimes had faced a $10,000 fine after the state Executive Branch Ethics Commission said that she committed ethics violations by improperly ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data. The judge’s reversal of the commission’s order means Grimes won’t have to pay the fine.
Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York, 3 dead including child
World Food Prize goes to 2 who helped protect vital seeds in an Arctic Circle vault
Ministry of Defence is slammed over death of 'model son' soldier shot in back of the head on night
Winner of North Macedonia's parliamentary election to seek governing coalition partner
My fiancé died on the morning of our wedding day
Winner of North Macedonia's parliamentary election to seek governing coalition partner
Can YOU afford to become a stay
Winner of North Macedonia's parliamentary election to seek governing coalition partner
OpenAI pauses ChatGPT voice after Scarlett Johansson comparisons
I'm a vet and here's how to keep your dog safe in warmer weather
Tourism boosts China's social, economic development
Charlotte Hornets hire Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee to be their next head coach