Jack Conway defends donations from 'political ally' whose company was subject of audit he reviewed

Lexington Herald-Leader ^ | May 30, 2015 | JOHN CHEVES

[Republican Wildcat]

Actual title: Jack Conway defends donations from 'political ally' whose company was subject of state audit Conway reviewed

FRANKFORT — In early 2011, Attorney General Jack Conway decided he lacked probable cause to act on a state audit that criticized public business deals worth tens of millions of dollars at an Eastern Kentucky utility company and questioned improper bidding procedures, violations of the Open Meetings Act and possible conflicts of interest.

However, Conway — this year's Democratic nominee for governor — kept in touch with people at that company, Pikeville-based Utility Management Group, which privately runs Pike County's water and sewer services.

For his 2011 re-election and his gubernatorial campaign, Conway has taken at least $16,000 in contributions from UMG's owners, executives, managers and their families. In addition to that sum, in December, UMG co-owner and chief operating officer Greg May hosted a fundraiser for Conway's current campaign that raised a reported $11,250. Conway calls May "a political ally" whom he has known "for six or seven years."

"Greg's one of 10 to 12 really politically active people in Pike County," Conway said in a recent interview. "I probably logged a call into Greg and said, 'Hey, we're coming down, can you help out?'"

Conway said there is nothing improper about his UMG-related donations. He said his campaigns reject money and offers to raise money from anyone who is under investigation by the attorney general's office or who has a criminal or sex offense record. But Conway said he won't turn down help from people simply because they are connected to an audit that "lands on my desk."

[patro]

CHEESE!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Just a little reminder for folks: Kentucky has not elected a Republican Attorney General since 1943.

[JusPasenThru]

Conway is a crook. God help us if he wins.