|
|
| Letters Allege Sexual Misconduct By Senate President |
| By Henderson Gleaner |
| Published: 10/30/2002 |
|
A prison inmate alleges Senate President David Williams sexually abused her and insisted on sex instead of financial reimbursement for representing her. Williams said the woman making the allegations is desperate to get out of prison and accused Gov. Paul Patton or Attorney General Ben Chandler of playing politics in disclosing the allegations. Chandler's office said it made an inquiry but determined there are no allegations of criminal wrongdoing and referred the matter to the Kentucky Bar Association. Officials in both Patton's and Chandler's offices said they followed standard procedures, and denied any political motivation. The letters from Lori Radford-Sandlin were sent in August to Patton's office. She asked Patton for a pardon so she would not have to go to jail. She also asked for his help in getting into a drug treatment program. Sandlin said she and her family have known Williams for many years and she once worked for him. She said in the letters that Williams has 'abused me emotionally and sexually for year. I feel that he did not properly represent me in the above cases because he asked for sexually favors instead of financial reimbursement.' Sandlin's allegations against the senate president come as the governor is facing allegations from a nursing home owner that he used his power to help her during and punish her after their sexual relationship. Denis Fleming, Patton's counsel, said he made some preliminary inquiries after receiving the letter, including talking to Sandlin's current lawyer. After receiving assurances she was getting adequate representation, Fleming said he agreed to Sandlin's request that allegations remain confidential. Sandlin's current attorney, Marcel Radomile of Lexington, did not return a call for comment Thursday. Fleming said he received a request for the letters under the Open Records Law last week from news organizations. He denied the requests and turned the letters over to Chandler's office. Chandler sent investigators to talk to Sandlin, who is serving a four-year sentence for theft and bail jumping at the women's prison in Pewee Valley. Spokeswoman Barbara Hadley Smith said the letters were released after the determination of no criminal allegations. Williams said he never had sexual relations with Sandlin and has receipts to note payment from her for legal representation. 'I think they held them over there to do a late hit on me and damage these elections,' Williams, who is unopposed for re-election, said Thursday. 'They're trying to deflect criticism from the governor, in my opinion,' Williams said. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think