EKB News

A state ethics panel found "probable cause" Tuesday to continue an investigation into state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo's relationship with a political action committee formed after his unsuccessful U.S. Senate bid. Mongiardo claims he was a distant adviser to a political action committee, called DANPAC or Democrat Activist Network PAC, and did nothing wrong. But the state Republican Party filed a complaint with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, claiming there was an improper connection between the PAC and Mongiardo. The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission met privately on the matter with Mongiardo and Spencer Noe, the state Republican Party's general counsel. State law prohibits legislators from organizing political action committees in their name. Penalties from the commission range anywhere from a public reprimand to fines, according to a statement by panel chairman George Troutman.