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.
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Man United fan Mark Goldbridge's x
Cristiano Ronaldo swaps red card rage for beach tranquility as Al
Man United fan Mark Goldbridge's x
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Jeffrey Dean Morgan cuddles up to Hilarie Burton as loved
HKFP Lens: Past Macau meets present in Portuguese photographer Gonçalo Lobo Pinheiro's images
Conor McGregor hails Dana White after the UFC president announced post
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
Cleanup of homeless encampment along Santa Ana River hits a snag in Newport Beach
Biden says Brown v. Board of Education ruling was about more than education
OJ Simpson's time in Hollywood: A look back at The Naked Gun star's hit movie career