Kentucky Officials Accused of Crimes Covered By Legal Insurance

Elected county officials in Kentucky who run afoul of the law can have their legal bills paid by a nonprofit lobbying group set up for the state’s counties.

The Kentucky Association of Counties’ taxpayer-funded insurance policy can, in many cases, pay the legal bills of elected officials accused of crimes against taxpayers. Currently, 112 counties carry the insurance.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that in one instance, the group paid the $51,000 legal defense tab for former Owen County Judge Executive William P. O’Banion. He was charged with theft and misspending public money last year.

The prosecutor in that case says he was surprised to learn about the perk. Commonwealth’s attorney Jim Crawford calls it a “well-kept secret.”