Okay, leave aside the fact that Republican candidate for Kentucky State Auditor John Kemper has filed bankruptcy twice. Leave aside the fact that he’s been busted on Youtube for saying as auditor he would protect Republican office holders from audit review (and presumably punish Democratic office holders) through use of audit review. Well, actually, don’t leave those facts aside. Because those are enough reason for people to completely rule him out for this office.
The fact is this: In Kentucky the office of state auditor is charged with protecting public funds from misuse. And last night, at the Kentucky Educational Television debate, John Kemper had three Fayette County Constables—in their official uniforms—participate at the political rally for John Kemper. Using the office of constable for political reasons is a misuse of public resources.
Maybe they were part of Kentucky Educational Television’s paid security? Well, after the Republican curb-stomping attacks for Rand Paul last year, this year Lucas Security has been paid by KET for every single debate this year, and has been positioned at the front entrance. That guard was present again tonight, so it looks very unlikely that KET paid constables to stand with one candidate’s supporters.
Did Kemper’s campaign hire constables to come in their uniforms? If so, what reason would make such a show appropriate? If they were not paid employees of the campaign, what are they doing wearing their official constables uniforms and badges to attend a political rally with Kemper supporters?
Again, it is possible there is an explanation that isn’t readily apparent. But absent such an explanation, this conduct would show that John Kemper has no problem with misusing public resources—to get into the office of Auditor, which is charged with protecting public resources.
It also raises the question of whether any of these Kentucky criminal statutes do or do not apply here:
Consider the language in Official Misconduct in the first degree (a Class A criminal misdemeanor), or the language in Official Misconduct in the second degree (a Class B criminal misdemeanor).
Also, consider these warnings about the Hatch Act for non-federal employees.
There are some situations where it applies to state and local employees.
http://www.osc.gov/haStateLocalexamplePermittedActivities.htm
(the above page says “While engaging in these activities employees must be acting in their personal capacity, not their official capacity. For example, they should not identify their official title when engaging in any of these activities.”)
http://www.osc.gov/haStateLocalwhoiscovered.htm
http://www.osc.gov/haStateLocalProhibitedActivities.htm
So, not only does Kemper have the sense of humor to ask for votes for an office that insures funds are managed wisely, after mismanaging his own business into bankruptcy not once, but twice. Not only does he have a guy in pajamas walking in front of him providing some sort of bizarre security function, and not only does he have a dog walking behind him, but in between, he’s raised the question of whether he’s having public resources misused as part of his election efforts. On the bright side, at least Richie Farmer must be happy that someone else is capable of actually drawing the public’s attention away from his stunning conduct…
For anyone who would like to learn more about the cnadidate that voters can choose in this race that won’t mismanage the state into the ground, check out Adam Edelen.
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