An audit of state government by the National Conference of State Legislatures is currently under “review” by Kentucky political leaders but the report hasn’t been made public.
A spokesman for the NCSL says on April 25 a preliminary draft of their report was delivered to Marcia Seiler, the acting director of the Legislative Research Commission, and to members of state House and Senate leadership.
The LRC authorized a $42,000 audit of the LRC in December in response to allegations that it improperly handled claims of sexual harassment by former Rep. John Arnold. Arnold was fined this year by a state ethics board after it found him guilty of the charges.
Recently, the LRC extended its contract with the NCSL to accommodate the extended review process, through June 2015, but the legal counsel for GOP state Senate President Robert Stivers says that will not cost any extra taxpayer money.
Louisville Rep. Tom Riner has been an outspoken opponent of the secrecy of what he calls a culture of harassment in Frankfort. He says he hasn’t seen the audit, but has a theory why it hasn’t been released yet.
“I’ll tell you the truth: I think everything, all things political revolve elections, and I think that’s, I would be surprised if that wasn’t the big hold up,” Riner said. “They want to get past the election.”
Neither the NCSL or House and Senate leadership would comment on the report’s findings.
