LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A watchdog group has filed an ethics complaint against Metro Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin. Questions have been raised in recent weeks about the hiring of Shanklin's grandson, Gary Bohler, and how Shanklin handled public money.
City financial records show her family members benefitted from a tax-funded upholstery program initially meant to help ex-convicts learn a skill. Records obtained by WDRB News show more than $30,000 was spent on the program. Shanklin's name and those of her relatives appear on attendance sheets for the program.
Prospect attorney Richard Beliles filed the complaint Wednesday on behalf of his watchdog group, Common Cause of Kentucky.
The complaint filed claiming Shanklin used her position to help her family and friends. Shanklin declined comment today, but released a statement saying: "I have nothing to hide and I look forward to cooperating with the Ethics Committee as they conduct their investigation into these matters."
Shanklin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
"I hope she's right. I hope she hasn't done anything wrong. I have nothing against her personally, just things that one reads is very concerning," said Beliles during an interview with WDRB News' Bennett Haeberle.
On Tuesday, Shanklin told WDRB News that she had done nothing wrong and welcomed any investigation.
"I did everything right," said Shanklin, D - Council District 2."And the program ran for four years and they didn't find anything wrong. Where was the oversight over the program the first four years?"
Beliles has filed previous ethics complaints against state officials.
Louisville Metro Police's public integrity unit and the city auditor are now investigating.
Shanklin also fired her grandson, Gary Bohler, after it was revealed he was on the city's payroll with outstanding warrants.
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