Kentucky

Ethics charges against PVAs reinstated (2) (6/18/10)

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky Court of Appeals Friday reinstated ethics charges brought against 11 property valuation administrators for hiring or promoting members of their families.

The PVAs were charged in 2008 by the Executive Branch Ethics Commission with violating the part of the state government ethics code that prohibits state officials from using their position to obtain financial gain for themselves or their family members.

But the charges were thrown out last year by Franklin Circuit Court, which ruled that the commission did not have jurisdiction over PVAs because they are local, not state, officials.

In a unanimous opinion on Friday, a three-judge Court of Appeals panel reversed that decision.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TEXT OF COA DECISION

KENTUCKY EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMMISSION VS. ATKINSON (BETTY), ET AL.

OPINION REVERSING AND REMANDING

VANMETER (PRESIDING JUDGE)

ACREE (CONCURS) AND WINE (CONCURS)

2009-CA-001145-MR

TO BE PUBLISHED

FRANKLIN