Ernie Fletcher funded state highway projects in return for senators' votes for his programs, and the transportation secretary had sole discretion over a $42 million fund "where the real politics is played," a former state highway engineer told investigators. Sam Beverage, who was sentenced yesterday to two years of unsupervised probation for official misconduct, alleged widespread political corruption in the Fletcher administration in a statement he made to investigators last November. Fletcher dismissed Beverage's allegations as "ridiculous," and Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert called them "delusional ramblings from someone who was trying to get his hide out of jail.
" Beverage's five-page statement was ordered released yesterday by Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate after Beverage's sentencing. Wingate also ordered the release of a video interview Beverage recently gave to Franklin Commonwealth's Attorney Larry Cleveland but reconsidered after Attorney General Greg Stumbo's office objected. Deputy Attorney General Pierce Whites said prosecutors want to review the video.
He also said Stumbo's office has provided information about Beverage's statements to federal authorities. Beverage is the final criminal defendant in the lengthy investigation of personnel actions in Fletcher's administration. He initially had been charged with perjury for allegedly lying to a special grand jury.
The summary of Beverage's testimony was offered as part of a plea deal. Beverage said the state's sale of bonds to fund highway projects was being used for political purposes. "The original list of potential projects was submitted to the governor, and he personally selected the project to be funded," Beverage said.
"The governor asked that each senator's name be placed alongside each project that was in their district. Projects were then selected for those senators that voted for the governor's program." Fletcher, after speaking at the Winchester Rotary Club yesterday, questioned Beverage's credibility given the previous charge against him.
That's clearly part of the process over there," Fletcher said. "But as far as keeping track and punishing folks that way, we have been very balanced on our roads." The administration makes its road decisions on two main criteria: "safety and return on investment," Fletcher said.
Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, said he was not aware of any such action by the governor. "But aren't governors generally more favorable to those who support their programs? Yes," Williams said.
Nighbert disputed Beverage's assertion that Nighbert had sole discretion over a $42 million fund with no legislative oversight. "Political favors are given to party supporters and legislators that vote favorably with the administration," Beverage said. "There is a computer listing of all the project requests in the commissioner's office that could easily be traced to political favors.
This fund is essentially a large campaign chest and is used accordingly." Beverage said that, in late spring of 2005, Transportation Deputy Secretary Jim Adams asked him to investigate Attorney General Greg Stumbo "and find any wrongdoing that I could for a high-ranking Republican official." Beverage said there is an e-mail trail of the findings he sent to Adams.
"This is a violation of state code since highway funds can only be spent for highway purposes," Beverage said. Fletcher strongly denied that he or anyone in his office ordered that. "That is ludicrous," Fletcher said.
"We wouldn't be involved in that. I'm not even sure it's worthy of comment." Nighbert said he was aware of his cabinet's looking at a road in Floyd County, where Stumbo lives, but he was not aware of any investigation of Stumbo.
Adams, who now works for American Commercial Barge Lines in Jeffersonville, Ind., did not return a message left at his office. Beverage outlined several specific hirings he claimed were politically motivated and also said that nearly all entry-level positions in the Jackson and Manchester highway districts were filled "with the recommendation and concurrence of the designated representative of the governor's office.
" Fletcher said Beverage's allegations were suspicious because they are largely based on events that supposedly took place three years ago, and "they're bringing it up now in a political season." "These are part of the politics of destruction that continues to go on, and we're going to focus on what's important," he said. Fletcher, a Republican, is seeking re-election.
His challenger is Democrat Steve Beshear. Beverage, who was appointed to the Transportation Cabinet by Democratic Gov. Paul Patton in October 2001, also provided details regarding the efforts of Patton political appointees to secure jobs protected by the state merit system before Fletcher took office.
Wingate, in sentencing Beverage, said that what Beverage did was both legally and morally wrong. Besides probation, the judge ordered Beverage to pay a $500 fine, pay $151 in court costs and write an apology to a transportation worker whose job was moved from Jackson to Somerset for political reasons. Beverage told the judge that he was sorry.
His attorney, Burl McCoy of Lexington, said Beverage had "explored" requesting a pardon from the governor but got no response. Fletcher pardoned everyone but himself in the hiring investigation. Beverage was not covered because his crime occurred the day after the pardon was issued.
Ernie Fletcher funded state highway projects in return for senators' votes for his programs, and the transportation secretary had sole discretion over a $42 million fund "where the real politics is played," a former state highway engineer told investigators.
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