According to the Murray Ledger and Times, the Calloway County Ethics Commission met for the first time in 20 years to hear complaints against Larry Elkins.
The complaints were filed in September by the Kentucky Democratic Party, who said that employees in the Judge-Executive's office were answering phone calls for his campaign for State Representative during business hours. In addition, they said the email address listed on his campaign website was for his office in the Calloway County Courthouse.
In an interview soon after the complaint was filed, Elkins said it was "legitimate" and he had corrected his campaign website after the oversight. He said he should have been watching the website more closely, and would accept whatever consequences were necessary.
Elkins was charged with three violations: using the email account for his office on his campaign website, taking a call in his office from someone who was interested in working for his campaign, and returning that call on the Fiscal Court’s telephone line.
After testimony from three witnesses - including Elkins, who admitted the error but claimed he did not benefit from any calls that were received - the newspaper reports the Ethics Commission found Elkins guilty. They said he violated section II-B of the Code of Ethics, which reads, “No county government officer or employee shall use or attempt to use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges or advantages for himself or others.”
Since the campaign is over and Elkins corrected and discontinued the actions that were in violation, the commission ruled that no further formal action was needed.
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