Kentucky Democrat found not guilty of ethics charges
Former Kentucky Secretary of State Cleared of Ethics Charges
Former Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes has been cleared of ethics charges stemming from allegations that she abused her access to voter registration data.
Grimes, a one-time Democratic rising star, was accused of improperly using voter data to benefit herself and fellow Democrats. However, Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled that she legally accessed the data while acting in the scope of her public duties.
“It is unclear how the commission can penalize the chief election official for having access to voter data when there was no illegal or unethical use of such data,” Shepherd stated in his order.
Grimes faced a $10,000 fine over allegations that she committed ethics violations by ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data. The judge’s decision to overturn the commission’s order means Grimes will not have to pay the fine.
Jon Salomon, one of Grimes’ attorneys, expressed that the ruling vindicated her. He stated, “Secretary Grimes should have never been investigated for simply doing the job that Kentucky voters twice elected her to do.”
Grimes, who was initially seen as a rising political star, won election as secretary of state in 2011. Despite a defeat in a challenge against longtime Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2014, she was reelected in 2015. During the same year, Andy Beshear, also a Democrat, was elected attorney general and is currently serving as Kentucky’s governor.
The ethics commission’s allegations against Grimes were related to her activities in 2015 and 2016, accusing her of not following government processes in downloading and sharing voter information.
Shepherd ruled that the allegations lacked substantial evidence and were arbitrary. He emphasized that there was no law or regulation prohibiting Grimes from accessing or sharing the voter information.
Following Grimes, Republican Michael Adams took office as Kentucky’s secretary of state. Adams’ office implemented changes to state law in response to the allegations against his predecessor. The General Assembly limited direct access to the voter file in 2019, and Adams’ administration ensured compliance with the law.
The judge also noted that the ethics commission failed to meet the statute of limitations in bringing the claims against Grimes. The charges stemmed from a 2019 investigative series by the Lexington Herald-Leader and ProPublica, focusing on Grimes’ conduct as secretary of state.
Despite the scrutiny and accusations, Alison Lundergan Grimes has been cleared of all ethics charges, marking the end of a challenging chapter in her political career.
