FBI enlisting public help to uncover corruption in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The FBI wants to recruit Kentuckians to help uncover public corruption in a state long hampered by scandals.

The crime-fighting agency on Friday announced its "End Corruption Now" campaign in Kentucky. The initiative includes a toll-free tip line at (844) 596-6721, and an email address at Kentucky_PC_Complaints@ic.fbi.gov to allow people to report suspicions of wrongdoing by public officials. A billboard campaign will publicize the effort.

Howard S. Marshall, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Louisville Division, says the public should expect nothing but integrity from every public official. To accept less, he says, perpetuates the state’s reputation for corruption.

A 2014 Harvard study identified Kentucky as one of the nation’s most corrupt states.

The state’s two U.S. attorneys, Kerry Harvey and John Kuhn Jr., vowed to pursue any evidence of corruption revealed by the campaign.

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