Kentucky AG Shouldn't Probe Gov. Bevin's Home Buy: Ethics Panel

FRANKFORT, KY — A Kentucky ethics panel says the state's attorney general —a Democrat —shouldn't investigate its Republican governor if he plans to run against him for re-election.

Attorney General Andy Beshear asked the Executive Branch Ethics Commission if it would be appropriate for him to investigate Gov. Matt Bevin's purchase of a Louisville-area home from a campaign donor

The commission voted 4-1 to tell Beshear it would be improper for him to investigate Bevin if he intends to run against him in 2019, multiple media outlets reported Monday. The board consists of three people appointed by Bevin and two people appointed by former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The commission said Beshear could refer the investigation to other law enforcement agencies.

Beshear is widely seen as a potential challenger to Bevin in 2019. He hasn't said whether he plans to run.

Beshear has said he's considering investigating Bevin's purchase of a home in the Louisville suburb of Anchorage. Bevin bought the house and 10 acres from Neil Ramsey, a friend and campaign donor, for $1.6 million in March. The Jefferson County property valuation administration previously valued the entire property, which is 19 acres, at $2,974,000.

Bevin is challenging that valuation. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Bevin and Beshear have clashed frequently during their terms in office. Beshear has sued Bevin four times over his use of executive orders, with two of the cases making it to the state Supreme Court. Beshear won the first case. Another case is scheduled for argument before the Supreme Court next month.

Bevin has said he did nothing wrong, dismissing the ethics complaints as "political mumbo jumbo."

Deputy Attorney General J. Michael Brown criticized the opinion, telling the Lexington Herald-Leader it has "a chilling effect."

"I think you can't force somebody in that position, particularly when you don't know if there's an actual conflict or you don't know if there's any personal interest involved," he said.

Photo credit: Adam Beam, Evan Vucci/Associated Press