Former prosecutor accused of using public money for personal use

HICKORY, Ky. (WTVQ) – Former Graves County Commonwealth’s Attorney David Hargrove is accused of using public money for his own personal use while in office, according to Kentucky State Police.

A year ago, KSP was asked by the newly elected Graves Commonwealth’s Attorney, Richie Kemp, to investigate Hargrove.

State Police say the investigation focused on the use of court-ordered forfeiture funds and how they were used.

Over the course of several months, multiple subpoenas were executed by KSP to obtain financial records pertaining to deposits and withdrawals from the account in question.

Investigators say the probe uncovered multiple debits from the forfeiture account for non-qualifying expenses.

On January 6, 2020, a Franklin County Grand Jury returned a single felony indictment against Hargrove for Abuse of Public Trust, over $10,000, according to court records.  The case was moved from Graves County to Franklin County because Hargrove was the former state prosecutor for Graves County.

On January 7, 2020, Hargrove was served with a criminal summons to appear in Franklin Circuit Court on January 31, 2020, to answer to the indictment charge, according to KSP.