FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Former Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes has been cleared of ethics charges stemming from allegations that the one-time Democratic rising star abused her access to voter registration data to benefit herself and fellow Democrats.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled Monday that Grimes legally accessed the data while “acting in the scope of her public duties” as secretary of state.
“It is unclear how the commission can penalize the commonwealth’s chief election official for having access to voter data, or downloading it to a flash drive when it has failed to identify any illegal or unethical use of such data,” Shepherd said in his order.
Grimes had faced a $10,000 fine after the state Executive Branch Ethics Commission said that she committed ethics violations by improperly ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data. The judge’s reversal of the commission’s order means Grimes won’t have to pay the fine.
Tourism boosts China's social, economic development
Farmers Work in Sugar Cane Fields in Dahua Township, Guangxi
Farms a Hive of Activity Across China
China Strengthens Legal Aid for Abducted Women
The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
China Implements Differentiated Epidemic Control Measures in Factories to Keep Production Stable
China's Shenzhen Draws Returned Overseas Chinese Talent
ICH Drives Rural Revitalization in Guizhou
China Moves Forward in Balanced Education Efforts