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Special Prosecutor Named in Ky. Deputy AG Bribery Case
By: Associated Press
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear has appointed a special prosecutor to handle the case against his former deputy.
Former Deputy Attorney General Tim Longmeyer pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge last month. Last week, Beshear announced he would file state charges against Longmeyer. At first, Beshear said he would prosecute the case himself. But Thursday he said he would hand the case to Franklin County Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland.
Cleveland said the attorney general’s office asked him to take the case on Wednesday, citing a conflict of interest.
Longmeyer pleaded guilty to using his influence as the state Personnel Cabinet secretary to steer contracts to a public relations firm in exchange for kickbacks. He also directed some of that money to Beshear’s 2015 campaign for attorney general.