Richie Farmer indicted in Kentucky

[MummyChunk]

From ESPN




LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Former Kentucky agriculture commissioner and
University of Kentucky basketball star Richie Farmer was accused of
misusing state funds and abusing his position in a federal indictment
unsealed Monday.

The indictment charges him with using his state position from 2004 to
2011 to obtain thousands of dollars' worth of gifts, hotel rooms,
clothing and computers. It also alleges he hired friends who did
little or no work for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

"Throughout his tenure, Farmer wrongfully used public funds and
KDA resources to obtain goods and services for himself and his
family," the 13-page indictment said.

Farmer, 43, plans to plead not guilty when he is arraigned April 30,
attorney J. Guthrie True said. He is charged with four federal felony
counts of misappropriating state funds and one count of soliciting
goods. The counts carry a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in
prison and a $250,000 fine.

True said he was disappointed but not surprised by the charges, which
they knew was coming for several weeks. He called the federal
indictment "a dangerous precedent" saying the issues raised
in it are state matters.

"The manner in which the elected commissioner of the Kentucky
Department of Agriculture conducts his business is a political, not a
legal, issue," he said.

U.S. attorney Kerry Harvey declined to say if others may be indicted
in the case.

Farmer, a homegrown athlete from impoverished Clay County, remains one
of the biggest names for fans of one of the country's most successful
college basketball programs. He was a shooting guard for the
University of Kentucky's Wildcats basketball team from 1988 to 1992, a
team known as "The Unforgettables."

His jersey hangs in the rafters of Rupp Arena alongside those of Dan
Issel, Pat Riley, Kenny Walker and Sam Bowie.

Farmer had been a rising star within the Kentucky GOP until a 2011
unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor on a ticket with Republican
state Senate President David Williams. They lost overwhelmingly to
incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.

In March, Farmer was charged with 42 Kentucky ethics violations, a
state record.

The indictment, which was handed up Friday, said Farmer used an
account that included state funds to purchase an excessive amount of
gifts for visiting state agriculture commissioners for a 2008 national
conference. The indictment alleges he kept the gifts that were left
over, including customized Remington rifles, embossed knives, watches
and personalized cigar boxes.

The grand jury also accused Farmer of using agriculture department
funds to benefit his family and friends, including naming at least
three people as "special assistants" who did little or no
work for the department. One was his girlfriend.

Farmer directed the "special assistants" to perform personal
tasks for him on work hours, including building a basketball court at
his home, installing flooring in his attic and organizing his personal
effects, according to the indictment.

Farmer is also accused of having agency employees drive him on
personal errands, babysit his children, mow his lawn and transport his
dog.