Airport Scandal Fallout

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Posted: 6:38 PM Jan 5, 2009
Last Updated: 6:49 PM Jan 6, 2009

42 comments

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From lavish trips to a $4,500 bill at a strip club, questions are being raised about how the former head of Blue Grass Airport, Mike Gobb, spent its money.

Now, days after he resigned there are calls for another airport leader to step down.

The Urban-County Council met Tuesday to talk about who should be held accountable for the spending irregularities. In the end, the council decided to ask Airport board chairman Bernard Lovely to step down from that post.

The council says he can still remain on the board, but is asking him not to attend meetings or take part in airport activities.

The council will vote on the resolution Thursday, but even if it passes, Vice Mayor Jim Gray admits airport board members do not have to abide by the resolution because the board does not answer to the council.

Gobb resigned last week amid the investigation into his spending of $200,000 in travel expenses over a two year period. Lovely allegedly signed off on Gobb's spending.

Most of the money that funds the airport comes from the public. So, is it possible that some of your dollars ended up being spent on these trips?

Mayor Jim Newberry expressed his disappointment in the scandal at the airport. "I am concerned and disgusted with what has been going on."

Newberry though assured the citizens of Lexington that he is confident the airport board will do what's best. He said the money spent by Mike Gobb for the lavish trips and expensive gifts is the public money. It consists of the passenger fee charged on each ticket purchased, parking and concession fees, as well as the rent paid by airlines. Newberry insisted no taxpayer dollars will be used this fiscal year at the airport. However, he says the past few years are being looked into.

Newberry also said he believes his staff, which includes Vice Mayor Jim Gray, who has been very outspoken on the airport scandal should not be involved in the process. "In my book, it should not be politicians place to try and run an airport. That is why we have an airport board, which has been successful for the past 60 years," said Newberry.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Pat Location: Lexington on Jan 8, 2009 at 01:49 PM
I don't know why anyone is surprised that Mayor Newberry wants nothing to do with this because that seems to be his standard response when it comes down to making himself the bad guy. This guy has no back bone not to mention a couple of other things he seems to be missing. Thank god for the Vice Mayor. To the mayor I say, this is your problem and you need to step in and take a stand because everybody who works, or lives in Fayette County pays taxes, some of which goes to help fund this airport. If the Airport Board had been doing what they should have been doing then I would say step back and let the auditors make a decision on whether the $200,000 dollars were valid or not. Since they didn't do this it is time for you to at least act like you care about this scandal. If you can't do this then maybe you need to step aside and let the Vice Mayor run the city. I swear you are making Teresa Isaacs look competent, something that I thought I'd ever see again in Lexington.

Posted by: Ken Location: Richmond on Jan 8, 2009 at 08:07 AM
$4500 spent at a strip club? This should now be referred to as "The Mike Gobb Stimulus Package."

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Where the [edited] were the auditors? Sounds like the bank bail out. Here's a gob of money so you can pay your bills. No checking to see how it's spent. I want the job so I can spend $4500 on strippers.

Posted by: ladybug on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:44 PM
They all need to resign ;I'm sure they knew this was going on.What an embarrassment for Lexington.Please resign and disappear.

Posted by: Steve Location: Lexington on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Mayor Newberry is an idiot he states he is concerned and disgusted but wants no part of it. How many more years before he's out of office?????? Hopefully!!!!!!

Posted by: Wow Location: Richmond on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Wow! One bewb paying $4500 to see more bewbs! Go figure!

Posted by: bib Location: knott on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:12 AM
all of them is greedy give any body power and they will do the same and i would say most of you would to i know i would

Posted by: Frank Location: Lex on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:36 AM
Our politicians at work again!!

Posted by: steve on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:53 PM
We have learned this from our elected officials lol.

Posted by: B Location: Berea on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:18 PM
The poor man was just checking on some new runways???? Which of the Lovlies approved his budget.

Posted by: Lance Location: Georgetown on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:09 PM
Some people just can't stand prosperity!!! This man will indeed reap what he's sowed!!!!

Posted by: Mike Location: Lexington on Jan 6, 2009 at 05:57 PM
Interesting our Mayor has been realtively quiet on this while Vice Mayor Gray is leading the charge...Could it be he is mad his company does not get the construction bids out there...the audit needs to go farther than Bluegrass Field and into City Hall

Posted by: Ashley Location: Dupree on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Call me.

Posted by: scotty Location: wolfe on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:44 PM
cool

Posted by: Brian Location: Ashland on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Folks, you can ALL vilify Gobb as much as you want about the controller situation, in his position, HE HAD NO DIRECT AUTHORITY OR INFLUENCE ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STAFFING. It is as simple as that. There are many factors that influence staffing, one of which is the average number of movements at an airport. The more takeoffs and landings at an airport, the greater number of what the FAA considers as "movements" take place. More airplanes, more movements, more controllers on staff...SIMPLE. Now, on the garbage he has pulled....PATHETIC.....220K is not too shabby even in Lexington. There was NO reason to get greedy!! It will be interesting to see what all does shake out of this sad uncalled for mess.

Posted by: BusinessLady Location: Pikeville on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Whenever I travel I have to pay for things out of my own pocket first and must have a valid receipt from the place of business before any money is given back to me when I return and turn in my receipts. Apparently that's what needs to happen in all cases like this!

Posted by: mel Location: lex on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:42 PM
There were more people than Mr. Gobb involved in this, whether it was actively participating or looking the other way while it happened. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Get rid of the employees and administrators who allowed this to go on as well.

Posted by: FrequentFlyer Location: Lexington on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:35 PM
CH, I am not personally attacking you but I don't care if Mitch McConnell pays the Air Traffic controllers and Obama pays the airport staff... there are things that don't need to be overlooked at an airport of all places. If Gobb was doing his job he probably could have asked that the Gov't place 2 controllers in the tower at all times no matter what due to the flights that go in and out daily!

Posted by: R Location: Georgetown on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:58 PM
The last time my husband and I traveled from Bluegrass Airport (Labor Day weekend) they couldn't even provide the paper jackets for our plane tickets because of costs. Now we know where their funding has been going. Shame on you Mr. Gobb. During a time when our nation and citizens have been brought to their knees, struggling to survive, this is what you have been up to.

Posted by: i been cheated Location: pike co. on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:54 PM
lap dancies are fun, where can i apply to get a refund, who do i turn it in to. [edited] i am mad. it cost me a half a days pay.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Lexington on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:33 PM
So Sad, that there are so many problems at the sirport, few to many Air Traffic Controllers, Public Safety is underfunded at best out there. Fire Equipment old, they work long hours with little pay, poor equipment, and a very small Retirement, and this guy spend 200K on BS come Lexington get your priorities. Do you really feel safe flying out of Lexington? 200K would do alot for public safety...

Posted by: mel Location: lex on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:55 PM
LovelyLady, don't forget we're also footing the bill for the deadbeats that won't work at all. So while you and I are working, the execs are at strip clubs getting lap dances and the welfare deadbeats are sitting on the front porch drinking and popping pills with other deadbeats. Us, we're just putting in our 8-10 hours so they can do that.

Posted by: Curious Location: everywhere on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:36 PM
My comment is for channel 27. On last nights newscast, after airing the story of the strip club tab, you showed a piece of the Gobb interview that wasn't aired initially. Why wasn't the interview shown in its entirety from the start? The question your reporter asked that was not shown was appropriate, so what is the reasoning for not showing it and Mr Gobbs' responses?

Posted by: ch Location: lexington on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Not saying the strip club is the right, but the comment on the airport money and the cut in funding in the air traffic controllers is wrong. That is two seperate entities. The city of Lexington pays the airport staff and the federal government pays the air traffic controllers.

Posted by: Casey Location: Lexington, Ky on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Sounds to me like criminal charges should be filed and restitution should be demanded for expenses that he incurred over the last 2 years. The 200,000 in travel expenses is absurd but the $4500 at the strip club is an out and out slap to everyone employed at the airport. Lovely should be looked at also for signing off on the expenses. Hard to believe these two can put their heads on their pillows at night.

Posted by: LovelyLady Location: Prestonsburg on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Sadly Jeff you are probably right and the 4500 he spent on a strip club could have added probably 3 more controllers to the tower that day! It's horrible that us honest, hard working, do right by the book folks, are the ones who are held down to do the bottom of the ladder jobs because we weren't able to pay out thousands of dollars for a college degree as good as the one Mr. Gobb has. Business is simple if there is more money out than money in it's not going well for you and expenses should be measured on a needed basis. I guarantee you, if one of us hard working folks I'm referring to was given this job, we do it for less, with more pride and certainly with more honesty!!!!!

Posted by: cj on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:34 PM
How sad...more bleeding of the honest tax paying citizens. How is it that scum like this gets a free ticket and the middle/poor class always get the short end? I agree with other posters. Anyone with access to "funds" need to be evaluated on a monthly basis to see how money is being spent and where. The "pork" needs to be cleaned up and fast. Also, every cent of this money needs to be paid back and jail time required.

Posted by: k Location: floyd on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Looks like good supervision to me...

Posted by: Jeff Location: Lexington on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:44 AM
This is actually a TRAGIC story. On the day flight 5191 crashed there was only one air traffic controller in the tower. Wasn't the understaffing blamed on a cost saving measure? Meanwhile airport executives were throwing money down the drain on themselves. What a selfish shame!

Posted by: Lori Location: Lexington on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:21 AM
HAHAH Steve that is HILARIOUS!

Posted by: JL Location: Paris, Ky on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:18 AM
He was simply stimulating the economy in TX.. probably what he thought anyway.. glad he got fired, probably not a bit too soon. Sounds like some of his higher ups should be looked into also. Since when do expense reports not get reviewed by the person writing the checks.. pathetic!!!

Posted by: Joey Location: Lex on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:50 AM
There is nothing at all wrong with going to a strip club EXCEPT when you are charging it to an expenxe account and you aren't the owner of the company. I can't afford a lap dance and he shouldn't get one with my tax dollars. Of course, maybe ti was more than a lap dance. Look at this guy; he just looks swarmy!

Posted by: Steve Location: KY. on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:27 AM
Arrest him for theft! How simple can it be? Make him pay back all that he stole.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:24 AM
Dallas strip club...? Oops he must have thought he was at DFW (Dallas air strip).

Posted by: Dave Location: Garden Springs on Jan 6, 2009 at 05:13 AM
Taxes to thongs, I might be on to something here. Must conduct more research!

Posted by: James Location: Wilmore on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:55 PM
I'm sure it was for National Security purposes. He was looking for potential airport terrorists disguised as dancers.

Posted by: Mike Location: Berea on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Sounds like this guy's a big Gobb of stupidity. Didn't he learn anything from Gov. Elliot Spitzer?

Posted by: Mom Location: Lexington on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Nice.

Posted by: grumpy on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:49 PM
make him pay it back or jail him

Posted by: jon doe Location: lex on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:32 PM
this is very interesting

Posted by: Diedra Location: Lexington on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Is there any honor left in people anymore. Mayor Newberry's friend??

Posted by: Tim Location: Lexingon on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Lovely should go also

Posted by: Clay on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:08 PM
There needs to be criminal charges coming forward. If not, it will be clear the whole system is corrupt but that is not really news is it

Posted by: Moose Location: Hazard on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:26 PM
And the governor wonders where all his money is going besides the horse park. Well here it is Gov.. Cut all your employees traveling expenses and u got yur half a billion that you need. Now send our severance tax back to us before it's gone.

Posted by: bcp Location: fayette on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Lesson learned I hope? Do not give any employee a open check book. Make them accountable by checks and balances monthly,not whensoever they get caught years later.If not work related then they should pay it back.

Posted by: steve on Jan 5, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Yee Haw boys! cold beer and hot women go ahead planes y'all all clear to go!!!

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