The Kentucky Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling that cleared former Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes of ethics violation charges, a decision that could mark the end of an eight-year legal battle. In a 17-page ruling issued on Friday, the three-judge panel confirmed the April 29, 2024 decision made by Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd, stating that the Executive Branch Ethics Commission had missed the statutory deadline to charge Grimes.
The court concluded that the case was “time-barred,” agreeing with the lower court’s finding that the Ethics Commission’s charges were not supported by substantial evidence and were arbitrary. Judges Susanne M. Cetrulo, James H. Lambert, and Jeff S. Taylor, who reviewed the case, emphasized that due to the statute of limitations, the charges against Grimes were invalid.
Jon Salomon, Grimes’ attorney, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, commenting, “We are pleased that the Court of Appeals has unanimously agreed that the charges against former Secretary Grimes should never have been brought. After nearly eight years of uncertainty, Secretary Grimes looks forward to moving forward with her family.”
Also Read – Gov. Morrisey to Decide on Bill That Could Transform Hunting in West Virginia
The Ethics Commission had been investigating Grimes for several years regarding allegations that she misused her office to download and share voter registration data while serving as Secretary of State from 2011 to 2019. Grimes had denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the data she shared was publicly available and that, as secretary of state, she had full legal authority to do so.
In 2021, the commission fined Grimes $10,000 for alleged violations related to the handling of voter data, claiming she improperly distributed voter information without following the formal Open Records Act process. Grimes, however, maintained that no laws were violated and argued that the charges were filed past the allowable statute of limitations.
Despite the court’s ruling, Susan Clary, the Ethics Commission’s executive director, indicated that the commission would review the decision before deciding whether to request a rehearing, appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court, or allow the ruling to stand.
Grimes, a former candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014, has been mentioned as a potential contender for the Senate seat in 2026, and her legal victory may help position her for future political endeavors.