LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A former Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police leader and well-known Frankfort lobbyist is under investigation over money he allegedly took from a Louisville lodge, according to correspondence obtained by WDRB News.
Ryan Straw resigned earlier this month as vice president of the statewide organization after members of an investment club he started "were unable to recover monies that had been given to Straw," state FOP general counsel Stephen D. Wolnitzek told members.
Straw had been given an October 31 deadline to reimburse the money, but that didn't happen, Wolnitzek wrote. The attorney told members that Straw resigned his posts as vice president and chair of the governmental affairs committee on November 13 after he didn't make the reimbursements.
Straw also is the subject of a claim involving more than $49,000 that was "unilaterally withdrawn" from his home lodge -- Metro 32 in Louisville -- leaving it "nearly broke," Wolnitzek told state members. Straw, the lodge's president, has had his leadership powers temporarily suspended.
Members of the local lodge reported the missing funds to Louisville police, and the FBI and Kentucky Attorney General's office have begun an investigation, Wolnitzek wrote.
An LMPD spokesman confirmed that it turned over a report last week to the FBI. The FBI can neither confirm nor deny an investigation, a spokeswoman said by email.
The AG's office has not responded to an email sent Tuesday night.
Straw did not immediately respond to a request for comment left on his cell phone Wednesday morning.
Kentucky State FOP president Berl Perdue Jr. released a statement on Wednesday that didn't name Straw but said the local lodge has been the "victim of fraud and/or theft perpetrated by one of its members."
"The FOP does not tolerate illegal or unethical behavior or actions from its members. The alleged suspect was identified by the local lodge and has been removed from any position of authority within the FOP," Perdue said.
In recent years, Straw has been a visible figure at Kentucky's statehouse and on public television advocating for law enforcement-related legislation.
He was a prominent voice this year in the successful effort to pass a sweeping crime bill known as the "Safer Kentucky Act" that reshaped Kentucky law on violent offenses, homelessness and drug charges.
This story may be updated.
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