Beshear appoints independent counsel in Grimes investigation

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)- State Attorney General Andy Beshear has appointed the Garrard County attorney as independent counsel to investigate allegations of wrongdoing against Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The allegations are from the executive director of the state board of elections who claims Secretary Grimes’ staff used the voter registration database for political purposes and that Grimes herself overstepped her constitutional authority as the State’s Chief Elections Officer.

Grimes has denied all the allegations.  Her office told the newspaper it will cooperate with the investigation.

Since Beshear is running for governor and Grimes has indicated she’s interested in running, he had to appoint an independent counsel to avoid violating the state’s ethics code, which says you can’t investigate a political rival.