Kentucky's Democratic attorney general, Andy Beshear, says he will prosecute his former chief deputy in state court following his guilty plea to federal bribery charges.
Newly released court documents show that former Personnel Cabinet Secretary Tim Longmeyer, who pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge, arranged for illegal campaign donations to Beshear, who was elected attorney general, and Jack Conway, who lost his bid to become governor.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports a judge unsealed the records Tuesday at the newspaper's request.
After he won the election, Beshear hired Longmeyer as deputy attorney general. Longmeyer resigned a few days before the federal charges became public.
Beshear noted federal authorities have said no political candidates were aware of Longmeyer's illegal activities. Beshear said he would follow the same process that resulted in the prosecution of former Republican Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, who went to prison for violating state ethics and campaign finance laws.
