LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An ethics board could take action today against former Ag Commissioner Richie Farmer.
The Executive Branch Ethics Commission has a closed-session meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. in Frankfort to decide whether Farmer will face sanctions for accusations of mishandling money and power.
A scathing audit released last spring claimed Farmer created a "toxic culture of entitlement" while he served as Kentucky's Agriculture Commissioner.
The personnel board found Farmer didn't follow the law when hiring two top-level employees.
He was also criticized for spending state money on hotel rooms for the "Sweet 16" basketball tournament when he lived 30 minutes away.
State Auditor Adam Edelen found the former commissioner had state employees on state time take him hunting and shopping, mow his yard, build a basketball court in his back yard, and even chauffeur his dog.
Edelen says Farmer showered himself with gifts and office equipment and rewarded his friends with jobs.
Farmer served two terms as agriculture commissioner.
Farmer was recently denied unemployment benefits from the state.
Since it's closed, the media will have to wait until after the meeting to learn any decisions that were made.
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