Two Placed On Leave In Farmer Ethics Probe

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Credit Ed Reinke / AP

Two people charged in an ethics probe involving former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer have been placed on leave while the investigation continues.

Farmer's sister, Rhonda Monroe, and deputy Agriculture Commissioner Bruce Harper were among seven people charged along with Farmer on Monday of ethics violations. They each face three counts. Monroe holds the position of assistant executive director in the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

Media reported that Monroe was placed on special leave with pay while Harper was placed on unpaid administrative leave at his own request.

The others charged on Monday with ethics violations no longer work for the state.

Farmer, who left state government at the end of his second term in 2011, faces 42 ethics violations.