The Covington Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 38 (“Local 38”) expressed vindication after reviewing the findings of the December 12 investigative report of Covington city officials’ behavior during the 2016 election campaigns for Covington mayor and city commission.
“As disappointed as we were with the offices of the Attorney General and the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, we are just as pleased that the city conducted, and received, a detailed and thorough investigation from an independent investigator,” said Local 38 President Mike Lee.
Lee said the Attorney General’s office and the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance “basically, did no investigation after we provided substantial email evidence of wrongdoing and informing them it was likely many more such emails existed.”
Independent investigator Scott White, a Lexington attorney, interviewed 15 witnesses (some multiple times) and reviewed numerous policy documents and emails to establish the investigation’s findings, according to the report he issued this week.
Local 38 also praised the courage and cooperation of Covington Fire Chief Dan Matthew and City Solicitor Frank Warnock. Chief Matthew’s openness, especially, was instrumental in bringing this matter to light, union president Lee said.
Lee said Local 38, for now, is stopping short of calling for more action as a result of the investigation’s findings.
“For us, we say it’s good to bring these things to light. As for criminal acts and/or sanctions, we leave that for the experts.”
“But I think it’s important to note”, Lee continued, “that Local 38 will always exercise its First Amendment rights in elections. That’s part of our mission.”
Michael Lee, President
Benjamin Wasson, Vice President
Tyler Cherry, SecretaryTreasurer
See the NKyTribune’s story on the investigator’s report here.
