EKB News

When Kentucky's elected county officials find themselves charged with abusing their public office, in most cases, their legal bills are paid by a taxpayer-bought insurance policy provided through the Kentucky Association of Counties. Prosecutors say they're surprised a taxpayer-bought policy pays fees for an elected official accused of crimes against taxpayers. Knott County Judge Executive Randy Thompson says it was a pleasant surprise to learn the county's insurance through KACo would cover his defense after being indicted on vote-buying charges stemming from the 2006 election, for which a U.S. District Court in Pikeville convicted him last year. KACo has covered legal fees for other elected officials in Kentucky, and, while some think it's o.k., others say it increases public mistrust of officials and is an epidemic in the state that has to stop.