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.
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Woman Devotes Decades to Passing on Traditional Ethnic Brocade Craft in S China's Hainan
Could Al Murray's Pub Landlord be arrested over Scotland's new hate crime law? Stand
Foreign Ministry gets new spokesman
Patrick Reed withdraws from US Open qualifying and ends streak of playing the majors
China issues red alert for tsunami
Thriving Home Services Empower Women
Stories of Different Tibetan Women Sharing Name of Goddess
JoJo Siwa goes wild: Karma singer accused of getting drunk at Disney World after turning 21
Giving Children in Mountains More Chances to Excel in Life