Not o-KACo: State Auditor Crit Luallen released a scathing special examination of the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) today, which found a “self-serving” culture that resulted in more than $3 million in excessive or questionable spending over a three-year period. Among Luallen’s blistering findings, it was uncovered that nearly $2 million was charged on agency credit cards over a three-year period, with $1.4 million having inadequate or no supporting documentation, an unclear business purpose or was excessive in nature. Earlier in the month, Metro Councilman Kelly Downard, R-16, filed a resolution encouraging Metro government to review future payments to KACo, but withdrew the measure when representatives from the group said new oversight measures were being put in place. Downard was unavailable for comment, but a spokesman said he will review the audit before deciding whether to reintroduce the resolution.
More Meloche mess: WLKY’s Andy Alcock reported that the outgoing director (Dr. Gilles Meloche) and incoming interim director (Wayne Zelinsky) of Metro Animal Services are both named as co-defendants in a new complaint filed Wednesday. For LEO Weekly’s on-going coverage of the troubled department and its embattled director, go here, here and here.
What Supreme Court opinion?: We predicted a ruling by the Kentucky Supreme Court that struck down a law banning convicted sex offenders from living near schools and day care centers would cause an uproar. We didn’t know that it would also create a legal conflict in state government. According to The Cincinnati Equirer, Kentucky probation and parole officers have been told to ignore the opinion because Attorney General Jack Conway is seeking to overturn it. A spokeswoman for the attorney general said Conway was reviewing his options for getting the opinion overturned, but he hadn’t taken any official steps.
The Christmas wars: We can’t believe this is controversial, but when the Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration decided to call the giant evergreen in front of the Capitol lawn a “holiday tree,” this year a lot of people got angry. The governor’s spokeswoman said a variety of winter holidays are celebrated in the commonwealth, but some pastors and political opponents are trying to score politic points by saying he is trying to steal Christmas.