Road contracts inquiry possible( Gov. Ernie Fletcher)

[maddezmom]

Source: Herald Leader

Prosecutor: Beverage provided information
Sam Beverage is the final criminal defendant in the state hiring inquiry. 2006 file photo by Ed Reinke | Associated Press
FRANKFORT --Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration may be facing an investigation of whether state road contracts were steered to political supporters.

Franklin Commonwealth's Attorney Larry Cleveland said yesterday that former state highway engineer Sam Beverage provided information to him about the Transportation Cabinet's handling of contracts. Cleveland said he plans to turn the information over to Attorney General Greg Stumbo's office for possible investigation.

Beverage talked to Cleveland yesterday in private before pleading guilty in court to one misdemeanor count of official misconduct. He agreed last week to a plea deal that dropped a felony perjury charge against him and avoided a trial that could have brought out more information from a lengthy, Stumbo-led investigation of personnel actions in Fletcher's administration.

Asked whether the contracts Beverage discussed with him were illegal, Cleveland said they seemed "improper."

Stumbo's office would not say whether an investigation is in the offing. "This matter is continuing and the office of the attorney general has no comment at this time," Stumbo spokeswoman Vicki Glass said in a statement.



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