Kentucky

The following story shows how the allegations surrounding the King campaign finance violations spilled over to allegations against the attorney representing the King(s):

Conduct Of King Attorney Questioned

Registry Investigating Gifts Jim King Gave Daughter During Campaign

By Andy Alcock/WLKY.com



POSTED: 3:06 pm EDT September 23, 2009



The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance is investigating gifts Councilman Jim King gave his daughter, Katie King, during her judicial campaign.



In a motion to disqualify the KREF from ruling in the case, Ed Springston, who filed the complaint, states the Kings? attorney, Sheryl Snyder, may be guilty of malpractice and criminal solicitation to commit campaign finance fraud.



Springston questions whether Snyder advised the Kings to break the law.



Jim King said he gave $135,000 to his daughter, who then put the money in her campaign account after receiving an e-mail from a KREF staffer and getting advice from his attorney.



Springston points out Snyder represented the KREF in 2000 in an attempt to exempt immediate family members from limits on gifts to candidates under Kentucky law.



However, the state?s General Assembly did not pass that exemption. Snyder said despite that unsuccessful effort, there?s legal precedent under the First Amendment to indicate Kentucky?s campaign finance law is overly broad.



The KREF Board of Directors is scheduled to take up the King matter at its next meeting on Friday.