State audit: Lawrence County violated ethics rules in deals with judge and his family
BY JOHN CHEVES
AUGUST 15, 2023 10:55 AM
Lawrence County Judge-Executive Phillip Carter, who sharply criticized spending at his local library last year during testimony at the state legislature, calling it wasteful, is now feeling heat about spending a little closer to home.
The state auditor’s office last week issued a report faulting the Lawrence County Fiscal Court for violating the county ethics code’s spending and nepotism rules.
For Fiscal Year 2022, the state auditor cited Lawrence County for hiring Carter’s brother, Donald, as road foreman and paying him $62,108 in salary; for paying $156,987 to a vendor, Amber Lea Contractors, for whom his son-in-law was an officer; and for paying Phillip Carter himself $1,500 for a motor on a pontoon boat at a county park.
“The Lawrence County Fiscal Court violated the county ethics code by engaging in multiple transactions with parties who are related to the county judge/executive, which is a violation of the county’s adopted ethics code,” the state auditor’s office wrote. “We recommend the fiscal court adhere to the requirements outlined in the county ethics code by refraining from hiring or engaging vendors who are related parties,” it wrote.
These transactions also violated federal grant requirements because a portion of the funds the county paid to Carter’s brother and his son-in-law’s firm came from federal money, it wrote. “The fiscal court should refrain from using vendors and employees that could potentially create conflicts of interest when using federal funds,” it wrote.
The state auditor referred the matter to the Lawrence County Ethics Commission — which is appointed by the fiscal court — for further review.
During the 2022 General Assembly, Carter was one of the county courthouse leaders championing Senate Bill 167, which tightened their political control over public library boards. Carter told legislators that the Lawrence County Public Library in Louisa charges residents too much in property taxes and wasted millions of dollars on what he described as a frivolous renovation. (The library responded by saying the project was a 5,000-square-foot addition that is now an open, light-filled children’s section.)
“It was a disaster,” Carter testified to a Senate committee. “We just need some oversight.”
Carter declined to be interviewed for this story.
In the county’s formal response to the audit, Carter said the county hired his brother as road foreman because he was “the only person who met the requirements for the position and would accept the job.”
As for the contract to his son-in-law’s firm, Carter said, his son-in-law “was not listed as an officer of the entity” on the day the county accepted the bids. And the judge-executive generally only votes on the fiscal court to break ties or to show unity on certain items, not on every routine business matter, he added.
“All future hiring and/or vendor purchases that require ethics commission approval will be submitted to the ethics commission in advance and will be in compliance with all state and federal statutes and guidelines,” Carter wrote.
By JOHN CHEVES (859) 334-0802
John Cheves is a government accountability reporter at the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the newspaper in 1997 and previously worked in its Washington and Frankfort bureaus and covered the courthouse beat.
His brother was the “only person” who met the requirements for the position, and the “only one” who would accept the job? Sounds far fetched to say the least. Where was the open position posted, and for how long was the position posted? Hard to believe at all.
The GOP message party of family matters takes on a whole new meaning
I find it hilarious that you make a comment about the GOP taking care of family after all the money Joe Biden sent his sons way. I don’t live in Lawrence County but I do work here. I can see lots of improvements that have been made by Mr. Carter. Why should you worry so much about who gets the contract as long as the work gets done, and he does seem to be getting it done..
Again a Republican State Auditor wrote the report if not for that we might not had found out about it.
Don’t think President Biden awarded tax payer’s money to his son like in this case.
Some of it is my money maybe we should have a occupational tax that way you would have some skin in the game.
No, he just awards the taxpayer money to folks overseas. lol
Mr.Carter is by far the best judge this county has had in years!! So what if he hired his brother who was foreman under another county judge years ago! You people need to open your eyes and look at what he has done for this county and the kids in this county! As I recall his opponent, whom couldn’t handle getting beat packed his bags and LEFT! As he should have because he made a mess in Johnson county just the same as he would have here! Phillip Carter is The Best JUDGE Lawrence County has had in years now is the time we need to stand behind him!!
Mr Carter is the best Jdge Lawrence County ever had!!! Mr Carter all these mailings was an inside job!!!! Your Assistant Judge or the new County Treasure!!!
I fully support Carter.
I guess everyone forgot about when Compton was in there his family was also working for him? But I guess that’s different? Please. What a joke this is. Focus on something that actually matters for once. People are going to hire friends and family to benefit everyone. Trust goes along way and finding people around here to pass drug tests and actually work. Move on. Next!
Compton didn’t get caught.
Phil Carter does a fantastic job for Lawrence Countians. This county would definitely had been in big trouble had his opponent been elected.
This is totally politically motivated and it’s clear to see those complaining have an axe to grind personally against Mr Carter.
It doesn’t matter who receives the bid as long it’s within reason and the job gets completed in the time frame required.
There are magistrates that are sitting there each meeting, I would think they would speak up if something is wrong. Why isn’t the ethics board members required to be at every fiscal court meeting to evaluate all transactions such as in this article?.
The job was done, the road department foreman was there from the previous administration. What was Mr Carter to do…fire him? Should you yourself be fired after having the position for years? Get over this and move on.
Then why did the Republican State Auditor write such a damaging report?
Just be honest with the money don’t try to hide something. They might not be no wrong doing here but he and the 4 magistrates sure didn’t want this news site at the meetings it just doesn’t look good.
It’s easy to see why Republicans love the uneducated and strive to undo education at every turn. Just the comments posted here show how brainwashed and foolish the people of Lawrence county have become.
So…you are an example of an educated dimwitocrap? God help us all.
All liberal media outlets attack any republican they can at all levels. Democrats and the fake news ignore anything bad that is assoicated with Democrats then spin it as a positive. People stop being fools and open your eyes. Our country is going straight to H—. The Democrates are trying to ruin every aspect of American industry. Its obvious old school people are dying off and the replacements are inept at managing anything. We’ve ruined this upcoming generation. They can’t do S–T !! Carter is old school and doing a great job. Meanwhile the media is trying to destroy him because of his political party choice. This is why Fox news is the number one watched news in America.
Amen
mdw where is mike hogan
G damnit his middle initial is L. Leave him alone y’all are dirty doing Phil this away
I figured it our KAG is the editor