Richie Farmer

Former KY Ag Commissioner Pleads Not Guilty in Federal Court

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:02:27 +0000

Updated 4/26/13 6:22 a.m.

Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has officially answered his indictment on five federal charges, pleading not guilty to all of them.

Farmer pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance Thursday, where he was also informed of his rights.

"We're glad to finally get the initial appearance out of the way, we're going to be ready when trial time comes and the rest of the story will come out then," says Farmer's attorney, Guthrie True.

Ag Commissioner James Comer: Indictment of Richie Farmer Won't Affect Department

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:45:43 +0000

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer says the indictment of his predecessor Richie Farmer won't be an issue for the state Agriculture Department.

After taking office, Comer and his staff have helped with the many investigations of Farmer's tenure as commissioner. And Comer says he's made it his goal to restore public confidence in the department.

Farmer Indicted on Felony Fraud Charges

Todd Hatton, The Associated Press and Brenna Angel (KPR) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:18:21 +0000

A federal grand jury has indicted former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer on four felony counts of misappropriating state funds and one of solicitation. The indictment, unsealed today in Lexington, charges Farmer with using his state position to obtain thousands of dollars' worth of gifts, hotel rooms, clothing and computers. It also charges him with hiring friends who did little or no work for the state. The indictment says that throughout his tenure as agriculture commissioner from 2004 to 2012, Farmer wrongfully used public funds and state resources to obtain goods and services for himself and his family.

Federal Grand Jury Convenes to Probe Richie Farmer

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:35:51 +0000

Prosecutors released no information Friday about the findings of a federal grand jury looking into whether former UK basketball player-turned politician Richie Farmer violated criminal laws during his eight years as state agriculture commissioner.

It's not clear what the grand jury is investigating, but Farmer was accused last month of 42 ethics violations, including accusations Farmer gave jobs to friends, had state employees build a basketball court on his property and gave state-purchased laptops to his family members.

Richie Farmer to be Subject of Grand Jury Meeting

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:21:23 +0000

A Kentucky basketball icon turned politician could be the subject of a federal grand jury meeting Friday.

Frankfort defense attorney Guthrie True says the grand jury will look at former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer. The Executive Branch Ethics Commission charged Farmer last month with 42 administrative ethics violations for allegedly misusing government funds and employees while in office.

Comer closes fuel testing lab to save money

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:40:11 +0000

Kentucky will shut down an expensive fuel testing lab run by the Department of Agriculture. The lab was meant to test the quality of fuel from pumps across the commonwealth. It was the brainchild of former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, who promised other states would eventually sign contracts with the lab and generate significant revenue…but those contracts never materialized and so far, the lab has been a money guzzler.

Former Ag Commissioner Charged with 42 Ethics Violations

Dan Conti (KPR) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:27:03 +0000

Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has been charged with 42 ethics violations by the executive branch of the Kentucky Ethics Commission.

The panel’s executive director John Steffen says the charges are for alleged misuse of state funds and state employees during Farmer’s two terms in office. He also says number of violation is the highest ever issued by the Commission.

“I believe 16 was the prior high number of counts containing an executive order, an initiating order,” Steffen said. “We have not seen misuse of office at this level in the nearly 9 years I’ve been with the commission I’ve not seen anything that compares to this abuse of public trust and abuse of public office.”

Ag Department Investigation Not on Personnel Board Agenda

The Associated Press and Whitney Jones — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:18:40 +0000

An ongoing investigation into alleged improprieties at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture isn’t on the agenda of the Personnel Board’s last meeting for the year. Board members voted earlier this year to open an inquiry into personnel issues at the Department of Agriculture under former Commissioner Richie Farmer. Board Executive Director Mark Sipek says it could be months before the investigation is completed. A state audit accused Farmer of using state employees for personal business like hunting and shopping trips, yard work, and chauffeuring his dog.

the morning cram [the civil war's bloodiest day edition]

Todd Hatton — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:42:22 +0000

Today on NPR:

Today is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, also known as Sharpsburg, which resulted in the largest single-day number of killed and wounded in American military history.

In Kentucky:

A busy weekend for OVC football.

Judge considers Farmer’s request to lower child support

Todd Hatton and The Associated Press — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:22:57 +0000

A Franklin County judge is weighing whether to grant University of Kentucky basketball star and former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer's request to reduce his child support payments. Family Court Judge Squire Williams heard testimony from Farmer and his ex-wife, Rebecca Farmer, late last week. Farmer says he is unable to find work due to ongoing health issues and a continuing investigation by the state Attorney General’s office into Farmer’s alleged use of state personnel and resources while heading the agriculture department.