Posted on 09/20/2002 4:00:17 PM PDT by Jalapeno
FRANKFORT, Ky.(AP) — Gov. Paul Patton on Friday tearfully admitted to having an "inappropriate personal relationship" with a woman who is suing him for sexual harassment. He denied he used his influence to assist or damage her business, a nursing home, as she has alleged.
"I have now apologized to the people of Kentucky and asked for your forgiveness," the married governor said. "I do believe that now I am on the right path.
"It's not easy for me to discuss private failures in a public forum but I do so because I want to be honest with the people of Kentucky and try to earn their trust and respect again."
Patton, whose wife Judi, stood by his side at a news conference Wednesday, canceled his public appearances Friday publicly acknowledging the relationship.
Patton, 65, a Democrat and chairman of the National Governors Association, called political associates and supporters earlier Friday to alert them to his intentions, according to three people who spoke with the AP on the condition of anonymity.
One of the sources said Patton was distraught and expressed remorse for betraying his friends and family.
Conner said she met Patton for sex numerous times in 1997 through 1999. She said Patton continued to call her and said she broke off the relationship in October 2001 and found state regulators at her nursing home in Clinton two months later.
Early in the week, Patton told WHAS-TV of Louisville that he did not have sexual relations with Conner.
The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported Friday that hundreds of calls had been made from the governor's office to Conner's telephones at her home and businesses.
On Wednesday, Patton was sued by Conner, alleging that he provided extraordinary state assistance to her and her business because of a sexual relationship. The lawsuit also alleged that when Conner broke off the relationship, Patton turned state regulators loose on her nursing home.
Patton acknowledged knowing Conner and her former husband, Seth Conner, during a news conference this week, but denied any improper conduct.
Conner's lawsuit alleges that she had a relationship with Patton beginning in the fall of 1997 and ending two years later. During that time, Conner alleged Patton made "lewd" calls to her and that he made harassing calls after she ended the relationship.
The phone records show 440 calls from phones in the governor's offices to Conner's numbers.
A spokesman for Patton noted that Conner was also the county contact person for the governor's office and such people are in regular contact.
Birchtree Healthcare has filed for bankruptcy and is the subject of a foreclosure suit. The Cabinet for Health Services pulled Medicare and Medicaid payments from the nursing home in July.
Conner, 40, has said Patton's retribution has ruined her personally and financially. She is a Patton appointee to the state lottery board.
"If the governor is admitting this, I'm happy about that," Conner told WHAS-TV of Louisville on Friday. "But that doesn't make things right. He's used his position to hurt me, my business and the residents" of the nursing home.
Hell hath no fury like a predating Rat in power scorned.
How very Clintonian......
Related to the Terrorist Pardoner?
Was it not the case that Roy Romer was also NGA chairman, also Democrat, and also caught in similar lies? In Roamer's case he had an assistant named, appropriately enough, BJ (I am not making this up).
He had a press conference where his wife ALSO stood by his side.
Just part of the bitter fruits of sexual immorality. Next time, you two behave and keep your marriage vows.
Another example of just what Ann Coulter discussed at length in Slander.
In light of Gov. Patton's admission of infidelity, do you think he should resign?
Yes 93%
No 6%
3271 visitors have posted their opinion on this topic
When a democrat governor is caught cheating on a spouse or criminal activity is found (unlikely, of course because of media bias) and the democrat uses "sex" as a diversionary excuse, the souse has already agreed to "stand by" the governor. Well, the woman the DNC asked to have sign the Reno agreement was willing but wanted more. She wanted in return to have the ability to murder a small number of innocent Christian children. The DNC immediately agreed. Now, it looks like that provision will never be used.
Does this mean that Kentucky will launch missles against some innocent folks in Sudan? Has McKinney pointed out that it is only about sex yet?
When is this loser up for re-election?
Will the voters reward his long-suffering wife with a US Senate seat as a consolation prize for putting up with the guy?
Okay, got it.
-PJ
"So, can't we just move on so I can get back to doing the work the people of Kentucky elected me to do? There are lots more women I need to sexually harrass before I leave office and you reporters are getting in my way."
Patton was elected narrowly in 1995, and re-elected easily in 1999 when the a bizarre candidate won the GOP primary; GOP Senator Mitch McConnell endorsed Patton.
He's not eligible to run again in 1993. Prior to this scandal, he had been thought likely to challenge Senator Jim Bunting in 2004. Can't imagine that happening now.
In 2002, the RATS tell us that using the power of the state to destroy a woman's business because she broke off a sexual affair is nothing of public concern--as long as the perp is a fellow RAT. Its simply his "private life" and we have no right to even question him about it.
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