 |
|
|
Affidavit Accuses Knott County Judge-Executive Of Vote-Buying
An affidavit accuses Knott County's judge executive and other officials of paving private roads as part of a vote-buying effort, The Courier-Journal reported Monday.
|
|
6 Comments 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - An affidavit accuses Knott County's judge
executive and other officials of paving private roads as part of a
vote-buying effort, The Courier-Journal reported Monday.
The affidavit from an FBI task force member was unsealed Friday
in U.S. District Court in London. It alleges Judge-Executive Randy
Thompson and the other officials embarked on a "coordinated
effort" to influence the 2006 election by spreading free blacktop
and gravel, building or repairing bridges and rewarding supporters
with jobs, the newspaper said.
In an interview Monday with The Associated Press, Thompson said
the accusations were politically driven.
"That's untrue," he said. "It's coming from some people that
just can't accept the fact that 3,500 people approximately that are
supposedly registered Democrats were fed up with the partisan
politics and crossed over to vote the new ideas and visions I was
bringing to the party."
Last week, federal authorities armed with search warrants raided
Knott County's offices. Thompson said later he had "no idea why
they're here." The affidavit was attached to the warrants.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Latest Comments
I certinally agree with the other posters here. Judge Thompson has a love for the progress of Knott Co. Judge Thompson has, in my opinion, moved Knott Co. forward more in his short time in office than has occured in many previous years. Anyone that knows about road maintenance knows gravel is just a quick fix. Blacktop is a long term solution. We now have a ATV training center, a trail ride organization which is very sucessful and growing, a nice public pool, a skate park, a recycling center on the way, a youth complex which is second to none nearly completed, and I'm sure many other planned improvements yet to be announced. Our kids now have a choice! Randy is a good, decent, hard working, moral, family man. Through his vision and dedication, hopefully soon, potable water will be available to many more residents of Knott Co. I say pray for Judge Thompson and encourage him to continue the progress he has brought to us. My family and myself Thank You Judge Thompson.
[ Report Abuse ]
Someone just emailed this article/website. I agree with the previous posters, but am I the only one that sees a pattern here? Looks like the news media could see it and investigate and report it. In 1998, Benny Ray Bailey supported Homer Sawyer for Judge, Donnie Newsome and Mike Hall won that race and some of their supporters were charged with vote buying and sent to jail. In 2002 Mike Hall had fallen out with Donnie Newsome and joined Homer Sawyer and Benny Ray Bailey to run against Donnie Newsome for Judge. Again Newsome won, but Newsome was charged with vote fraud and sent to jail. Nearly everyone in the county knew both factions were involved in vote buying, however only one side was investigated. In 2000 (I think) Benny Ray Bailey was defeated in his race for Senator by Johnny Ray Turner. In 2004, Benny Ray Bailey ran his nephew against Johnny Ray Turner and Benny Ray lost again...Johnny Ray Turner was charged with vote fraud. Am I the only one that sees this pattern? Benny Ray looses they other side gets investigated? Plus it's common knowledge the state auditor and Benny Ray are big buddies. Some of the employees in the suditor's office have even told friends they owe thier job to Benny Ray and ore indebted to him. I've been told one of the auditor's employees is even related to the former Senator. Don't try and tell me this investigation into our Republican Judge is not politically motivated, just look at the pattern. Keep up the great work Judge Thompson, a lot of us appreciate it and support you all they way.
[ Report Abuse ]
I agree with the other comments, the news people should talk with more people in Knott County. The auditor's report is simply an opinion. IT IS NOT FACTS and should not be presented in the news as such. Judge Thompson works harder than any Judge we've had and I've lived in this county for over 50 years. The news people need to listen to the majority of the people and not just 2 or 3 cry babies. This is an obvious political ploy to make Governor Fletcher look bad because he initially appointed Judge Thompson to the office, but we're not stupid, we see through this. Judge Randy Thompson and Gov. Fletcher are the best things that ever happened to Knott County, especially for our children.
[ Report Abuse ]
