Fletcher Admin must give Dem Atty-Gen records ...

[jarab]

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/11722325.htm

FRANKFORT - Over objections from the Fletcher administration, a judge yesterday gave Attorney General Greg Stumbo access to millions of state government e-mails in his investigation of the administration's hiring practices.

Meanwhile, a Franklin County grand jury has issued a subpoena for written and telephone records of state hirings from 23 people connected to Gov. Ernie Fletcher, including some of the top officials in his administration.

They include Fletcher's chief of staff Stan Cave, deputy chief of staff Dick Murgatroyd, Commerce Secretary Jim Host, acting Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert, state Republican Party treasurer Dave Disponett, former UK sports announcer Ralph Hacker and Russell Springs developer Stephen Branscum, a member of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees who is a partner with Fletcher in a Florida real estate deal. Fletcher and Lt. Gov. Steve Pence were not named in the subpoena.

snip...

...O...

[jarab]

1. Attorneys to spar over seized files ....

Wednesday May 25 2005 ...

FRANKFORT - Attorneys for Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration and Attorney General Greg Stumbo's office will clash today over how much latitude investigators should have when looking through a seized computer of a top aide to the governor.

Fletcher's attorneys argue that policy adviser Brian Crall's computer should be protected by executive privilege because it contains sensitive drafts of policies and initiatives. The attorney general's office confiscated the machine, along with 17 others, as part of its investigation into allegations of illegal hiring practices in the Fletcher administration.

That investigation could blow up on a second front today, as a Franklin County grand jury will meet at 9 a.m. Last week, it issued a subpoena for written and telephone records regarding state hirings from 23 people connected to Fletcher.

snip


http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/11731413.htm

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[yellowdoggess]

2. now when is that special grand jury meeting?

and since it will be Franklin Co grand jury, what are the odds that this will dissolve into "everybody does it" without indictment?

[jarab]

3. Would be nice if

changes of venue would be automatic in cases like this; get it out of the home county of the legislative body.
As it stands, I'd suppose a lot of collusion goes on between the powers that be and the Franklin Co courthouse. Buy off Franklin County and anything goes! To hell with the other 119 counties and their citizenry! Cynical? Yes!
I would suggest they make a blind draw (for the trial location) among several central KY counties in these type cases. The AG would still prosecute. It'd be harder to manipulate the system in all of 'em.

...O...

[yellowdoggess]

4. Venue

Interesting idea. But the jury pool would certainly include state workers in Franklin Co-and since it is a company town, the populace may be more informed and willing to support the merit system?

[Roland99]

5. New emails talk of "hit list" and secret documents

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_POLITICAL_PERSONNEL_KYOL-?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-06-24-15-27-27


And get a load of these names? Is this stuff for real?


Dick Murgatroyd
Basil Turbyfill

[jarab]

6. And, this additional in today's (Sat) H-L ....

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/11982947.htm

Hiring inquiry turns to meetings directed by Fletcher staffer
By Ryan Alessi
HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU


FRANKFORT - The investigation of hiring practices in the administration of Gov. Ernie Fletcher yesterday turned away from the Transportation Cabinet, where it had been focused thus far, and headed toward the governor's office.

snip ...

In one exchange between Turbyfill and Dan Druen, administrative services commissioner at the Transportation Cabinet, Turbyfill asks Druen to look into whether a Republican was passed over for a promotion in Montgomery County, the governor's home county.

snip...

In the end, Witt and Faulkner both were passed over for the Montgomery County supervisor position in favor of the nephew of Fletcher's volunteer political adviser, Dave Disponett.

snip ...

A separate handwritten note regarding that same meeting asks, "Do they 'share the vision' of the governor -- all items in the prescription for KY." Fletcher's 2003 campaign platform was called "A Prescription for Kentucky." It is unclear who took the notes from that meeting.

(more)

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