Highway Investigation

By Angela Hatton

Frankfort, KY – A federal judge in Frankfort has told prosecutors to remove some quotes from an indictment charging a top Kentucky highway contractor and two other men. Road builder Leonard Lawson, former Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert and Lawson aide Brian Billlings are charged with bid tampering on $130 million in state highway contracts. All of them have pleaded not guilty and their trial is scheduled to begin April 28. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports attorneys for the men asked the court to strike portions of conversation transcripts with a key witness and Lawson, along with others. At a hearing yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Danny Reeves granted the motion, saying prosecutors have said the statements probably would not be shown to a jury.