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Democrat Grimes, former Kentucky secretary of state, wins appeal in ethics case

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kentuckylantern.com – Jack Brammer – 2025-03-23 12:00:00

by Jack Brammer, Kentucky Lantern
March 23, 2025

The Kentucky Court of Appeals unanimously has upheld a lower court order that cleared former Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes of ethics violation charges.

In a 17-page order issued Friday upholding an April 29, 2024 decision by Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd, the three-member appellate court said the Executive Branch Ethics Commission missed its statutory deadline to charge Grimes with improperly ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data from her public office while she was Kentucky’s secretary of state.

“The Franklin Circuit Court reversed the commission’s decision, finding it was arbitrary, not supported by substantial evidence and time barred. Due to the statute of limitations alone, we affirm,” said the appellate court decision. The three appellate judges were Susanne M. Cetrulo, James H. Lambert and Jeff S. Taylor.

Her political future cloudy, Grimes must contend with effort to reinstate alleged ethics violations

Attorney Jon Salomon, who represents Grimes, said,  “We are pleased that a unanimous panel of the Court of Appeals has agreed with the Franklin Circuit Court that the Executive Branch Ethics Commission missed its statutory deadline to bring charges against former Secretary Grimes.

“Those charges should never have been brought — and Secretary Grimes is optimistic that after nearly eight years, she and her family can put this matter behind them.”

Susan Clary, executive director of the ethics commission, said the commission needs more time to review the appellate ruling before commenting. It could ask the appeals court to rehear the case, try an appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court or let the appellate court ruling stand.

Grimes has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2026.

The commission had been investigating Grimes for several years. Grimes, a Democrat and Lexington attorney, was secretary of state from 2011 to 2019 and an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 against Republican Mitch McConnell. She is the daughter of the former state Democratic Party Chair Jerry Lundergan of Lexington.

Biden pardons Kentuckian Jerry Lundergan for campaign finance conviction

In November 2021, the commission fined Grimes $10,000 for two ethical violations pertaining to handling of voter data.

As secretary of state, Grimes was the state’s chief elections officer. In her position, she had access to data from the state voter registration system in the State Board of Elections.

The commission had alleged that Grimes violated the ethics code by sharing voter information without requiring a request under the Open Records Act or other “established process of government.”

Grimes responded that all the voter data at issue was information in the public domain and that she had full legal authority and discretion as secretary of state to access and share such information. She claimed no statute or regulation was violated by the sharing of such public information. She claimed the commission’s charges were barred by the five-year statute of limitations and that the record did not support a finding of any violations of the state executive branch’s code of ethics.

The commission argued that it was not bound by any statute of limitations.

The only allegations pursued by the Ethics Commission were that Grimes allegedly acted unethically in accessing public information in the voter registration system by downloading voter information onto a thumb drive when she was a candidate for reelection.

The commission also looked at whether Grimes improperly shared information on new voter registrations for certain Kentucky House of Representative districts in response to a request made informally through the office of the House speaker without requiring a formal open records request or charging a fee.

Read the ruling

2024-CA-000630

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.

2024-CA-000630

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News from the South - Kentucky News Feed

Inside look: Kentucky Army National Guard operations exercise

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www.youtube.com – WLKY News Louisville – 2025-09-13 22:39:12

SUMMARY: The Kentucky Army National Guard conducted a weekend training exercise in Louisville to sharpen skills for responding to natural disasters like floods and tornadoes. The exercise included helicopter simulations to ensure smooth protocol and effective communication during emergencies. Battalion S-3 Operations Officer Jacob Conner emphasized the importance of realistic, progressive training with instructor pilots to prepare members for real-world scenarios. This rigorous preparation aims to build proficiency, teamwork, and confidence, ensuring the Guard can effectively support communities throughout Kentucky during crises. The training highlights the Guard’s commitment to readiness and service to the commonwealth.

Inside look: Kentucky Army National Guard operations exercise

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Few showers possible Saturday night into Sunday

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www.youtube.com – WLKY News Louisville – 2025-09-12 21:36:24

SUMMARY: Meteorologist Eric Zernich reports mostly dry, pleasant fall weather with clear skies and temperatures dipping into the 50s and 60s overnight. Most of the weekend stays dry, though a weak upper-level disturbance may bring a slight chance of showers late Saturday into Sunday morning, mainly in southern Indiana, but rain will likely fizzle due to dry conditions. Sunday will be warmer, reaching near 90°F, continuing into next week with summer-like heat in the 90s. Events like Bourbon and Beyond and the Gaslight Festival will enjoy mostly sunny skies, but attendees should stay hydrated as warm temperatures persist.

WLKY meteorologist Eric Zernich’s Friday night forecast

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Trump says he’ll send National Guard to Memphis, escalating his use of troops in US cities

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www.wnky.com – Associated Press – 2025-09-12 18:00:00

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, to address crime concerns, claiming local officials support the move. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee welcomed the plan, while Memphis Mayor Paul Young opposed it, emphasizing community-focused solutions like rehabilitation and job support over military presence. Despite overall crime reductions and ongoing FBI operations, persistent gun violence and high-profile killings fuel concerns. Legal experts warn deploying troops for policing risks civil rights violations. Trump’s broader strategy involves sending troops to other Democratic-led cities, sparking political and legal debates over the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement.

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