Nighbert Ethics Accusation

By Angela Hatton

Frankfort, KY – The Executive Branch Ethics Commission has accused Former Kentucky Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert of violating the state ethics code. The Courier-Journal reports Nighbert faces a charge of failing to disclose his ownership interest in a business called Double Buck LLC. Federal authorities allege the company was part of a bribery scheme. A call to Nighbert's attorney, Howard Mann, seeking comment was not immediately returned. Nighbert was indicted in September by a federal grand jury for bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. The bribery charge alleges he received payments in exchange for his role in helping to leak confidential bid information. An FBI affidavit says allegedly Double Buck made at least some of the payments to Nighbert.