AG investigating Pendleton, work with university
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Attorney General Jack Conway has denied an open records request regarding a Democratic state senator and his past employment at Murray State University, saying there's an “open investigation.”
Kentucky GOP chairman Steve Robertson was seeking records from the attorney general's office pertaining to any investigation into state Sen. Joey Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville, who was re-elected last week.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reported in Tuesday's editions that Conway sent a letter to Robinson Nov. 5 denies the request, claiming the records are part of “an open investigation.” Conway spokeswoman Allison Martin declined to comment on the letter, saying she could neither confirm nor deny an investigation.
Robertson has questioned Pendleton's employment with MSU while also being a state legislator. Robertson has urged Conway, a Democrat, to appoint a special prosecutor to probe whether Pendleton was improperly paid by MSU for time that he was in Frankfort working as a legislator.
Murray State officials have not raised any concerns. University President Randy Dunn said there was no record of any complaints regarding Pendleton's work, and that he did not get paid hourly.
Pendleton told The (Louisville) Courier-Journal he's not concerned if there is an investigation. Pendleton worked as the projects manager at MSU's farm operations from July 1998 to June 30, when his contract was not renewed because of budget cuts.
“I know I did my job,” Pendleton said. “I did what I was hired to do.”
Still, Robertson has accused Conway of a “political cover-up” given the timing of the letter, which came a day after Pendleton defeated his Republican opponent.
Martin, Conway's spokeswoman, disputed the notion.
“To insist that Attorney General Conway is not handling this in a professional manner is disingenuous and inaccurate,” Martin said.
Story created Nov 12, 2008 - 11:56:21 EST.
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