Former Estill County Deputy Judge-Executive indicted on abuse of public trust charges

Kim Dawes is accused of using Estill County Animal Shelter money for her own personal use and not paying it back

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ/PRESS RELEASE) – Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced Friday a grand jury presentation by his office of Special Prosecutions resulted in the indictment of a former Estill County Deputy Judge-Executive for Abuse of Public Trust.

On March 16, 2022, an Estill County Grand Jury indicted Kim Dawes, 55, of Irvine, Kentucky, for one count of Abuse of Public Trust over $10,000 but less than $100,000 (Class C Felony). According to the indictment, while employed by the Estill County Fiscal Court, Dawes committed the offense of Abuse of Public Trust when she dealt with public money from the Estill County Animal Shelter as her own and failed to make the required payment or disposition.

Kentucky State Police Detective Anthony Bowling and Detective Matthew Easter of the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations jointly investigated the case after receiving a referral from Kentucky Auditor Mike Harmon. Assistant Attorney General Alex Garcia presented the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.