FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A federal judge has refused to dismiss an
indictment in Kentucky's high-profile bid-rigging case.
U.S. District Judge Karl S. Forester ruled Monday that the case
would continue despite claims by defense attorneys of "vindictive
prosecution."
Highway contractor Leonard Lawson, former Transportation
Secretary Bill Nighbert and Lawson aide Brian Billings are accused
of conspiring to steer about $130 million worth of highway
construction contracts to Lawson's companies.
All have entered not guilty pleas.
Defense lawyers claimed in a motion that prosecutors had
violated the defendants' rights by obtaining a superseding
indictment that restructured the charges.
Forester concluded that defense attorneys couldn't show the
prosecutor acted unreasonably.

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