EKB News

A former state environmental inspector has been indicted in Lawrence County on charges of theft by extortion and official misconduct for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a surface-mine operator. Randall D. Smith, of Greenup, was placed on special leave with pay on Sept. 11, the date of the alleged extortion, and filed for retirement Sept. 30, said Mark York, a spokesman for the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. The Cabinet had begun termination proceedings on Sept. 28, but Smith’s retirement ended that process. After the alleged bribe, the cabinet began the process of terminating Smith from his position as an environmental inspector in the mine reclamation and enforcement division. Smith was served on Sept. 28 with a notice of intent to dismiss, effective Oct. 20. His special leave ended Sept. 29. The cabinet’s office of inspector general and Kentucky State Police have been investigating.