Federal officials made it very clear that no one except federal agents would be allowed in the public offices of the Knott County Judge Executive, Clerk, Treasurer, Finance Director or the county garage until they were finished executing federal search warrants.

"I have no idea, I went to the County Clerk's office, I'm a used car dealer and I went up there to get some temporary tags and there was garbage bags up over the window." says Knott County Resident Roger Combs. "I knocked on the door and some guy came out, I didn't know who he was and he said they were closed for a special investigation and may be open tomorrow."

In a heavily democratic county where a republican is now serving as the judge executive for the first time in the county's history, some residents question whether politics are involved.
Judge Executive Randy Thompson has always denied allegations of trading road-paving projects for votes...and says his books are open to anyone.

"The judge is out of town on other business," say County Homeland Security Director Greg Mullins. "The judge has instructed me and all county officials to cooperate 100-percent with the FBI and the State Police...we're completely in the dark as to what they're looking for."

Federal agents leave receipts behind of what is taken from each office and Mullins says various files and paperwork were on the judge executive's list. Other county officials say invoices were examined at the county garage but FBI agents say those details will not be available just yet.

"The affidavits and warrants have been sealed by the federal court," says FBI Spokesperson David Beyer. "Until they're unsealed by the federal court, we really cannot comment on the investigation being conducted down there."