FRANKFORT, Ky. — Pike Circuit Judge Howard Keith Hall, who has been suspended from his position since April 18, after he was indicted by a federal grand jury, has been reinstated to his position after being found not guilty.

The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission issued an order Tuesday lifting Hall’s suspension and all restrictions against him.

Hall had been charged with two counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of government funds over an alleged scheme to hire an assistant county attorney who performed little to no work. On Tuesday, a federal jury in Frankfort returned a not guilty verdict on all charges.

Hall’s reinstatement takes effect immediately. A full copy of the commission’s order follows:

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A jury took three hours to return a not guilty verdict on Pike Circuit Judge Howard Keith Hall Tuesday.

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Prosecutors, defense team give opening arguments in the trial of suspended Pike circuit judge Howard Keith Hall.

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Ball said the waste came from payments made for residents no longer living in the state.

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A bill has passed in Kentucky to preserve prescriptions in the event a doctor passes away.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says his plan to provide bonuses to essential workers got a chilly reception from Republican legislative leaders.

The governor has proposed using $400 million of the state’s stimulus money to provide bonuses to essential workers who have stayed on the job throughout the pandemic.

In a letter sent 11 days ago, the governor asked Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate to nominate members to a working group to hammer out the details of who would get the bonuses and how much they would be. But during his coronavirus briefing on Monday, Beshear said Republicans responded by saying, “No thanks.”

“I believe strongly that our people who have worked almost two years through this pandemic deserve appreciation, deserve encouragement, deserve an ‘attaboy’ and ‘attagirl,’ and this could be an incentive for people to hold on,” Beshear said.

The governor says he still plans to work with those members of the legislature who are willing to work with him.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear joined with other state officials on Wednesday to announce the completion of a human trafficking investigation that resulted in dozens of arrests across the state.

The investigation, known as Operation United Front, was a joint effort between Kentucky and 11 other states. Nationally, 102 suspects were arrested and 59 victims were rescued.

“Operation United Front is a great example of creating a better and safer Kentucky, one that is free of this hideous crime,” Gov. Beshear said. “Thank you to all the law enforcement agencies and organizations involved for rescuing these victims and holding these heinous offenders accountable. Unfortunately, this crime is occurring in every county, in every community across the commonwealth, but we will keep fighting to make life better and safer for all Kentuckians, especially our children.”

“We know that human trafficking transcends county and state lines, and multistate efforts like Operation United Front are essential to addressing the human trafficking crisis in our communities,” said Attorney General Daniel Cameron. “Every arrest made leads to one less trafficker on our streets and sends a message that we will not allow any person to exploit another through labor and sex trafficking. I’m incredibly grateful for the collaboration and for the partnerships exhibited throughout this operation, and I extend my sincere thanks to law enforcement across Kentucky who worked tirelessly to carry out Operation United Front.”

Of the 12 states participating in Operation United Front, Kentucky had by far the most arrests and victims.
Last week, 29 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies from across the state fanned out to arrest 46 people and rescue 21 victims, including two minors.

“Operation United Front was a success because of the hard work and dedication of all law enforcement professionals working together,” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. “This sends a message to human traffickers across the country that their actions will not be tolerated. We will be vigilant in finding those who prey upon our most vulnerable, especially our children. While we as law enforcement are responsible for investigating the cases and arresting the individuals involved, there is a whole other dynamic to these cases and that is the care provided by the victim services community.”

The operations were centered in Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Paducah and northern Kentucky.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — A federal jury has found a Pikeville doctor innocent of health care fraud.

Dr. Sai Gutti was found not guilty of all charges during his trial in Frankfort on Wednesday.

Gutti was indicted on eight counts of health care fraud in April 2019. He had been accused of billing Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary urine tests.

The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure suspended Gutti’s license to practice medicine shortly after his indictment. The suspension order is still currently in effect, but it does provide him with the opportunity to be reinstated now that his case has been resolved.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball, a native of Prestonsburg, has given birth to her second child.

Ball and her husband, Dr. Asa James Swan, welcomed the 6 pound, 15 ounce girl last Tuesday. Her name is Marigold Sophia Swan.

Ball said her son Levi was excited to meet his little sister.

Ball made history in 2018 by becoming the first statewide elected official in Kentucky to give birth while in office. Since then, former Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes and Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman have also had children while in office.

Now, Ball becomes the first statewide office-holder to give to two children while in office.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kentucky’s congressional delegation has united to support Gov. Andy Beshear’s request to have the state declared a major disaster area, following rounds of ice storms and flooding in February and March.

In a joint letter signed by the delegation, the leaders urge President Joe Biden to quickly approve that request.

If approved, the declaration would funnel federal money into Kentucky to assist local governments with cleanup and hazard mitigation, and could provide assistance to affected individuals.

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