Elliott County Judge Executive Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 04, 2011 |
ASHLAND—The Elliott County Judge Executive admitted in federal court today that he distributed county-purchased gravel to private citizens.
Flemen David Blair, 66, pleaded guilty to one count of theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Blair agreed to immediately resign from his position as county judge executive.
From July 2009 to July 2010, Blair admitted that at least $5,000 worth of gravel was spread on the driveways of private citizens in Elliott County without any legal authority.
Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge, FBI; and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division jointly made the announced the plea.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth Taylor and Trial Attorney Maria Lerner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
The investigation revealed that Blair distributed gravel to influence the outcome of the 2010 primary election in Elliott County.
Blair is currently scheduled to appear for sentencing on November 14 at 10 a.m. Blair faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.