LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB/AP) -- The state's Executive Branch Ethics Commission took another step in its investigation into former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
The investigation is related to allegations that Cameron improperly solicited campaign donations for his 2023 run for governor.
An administrative law judge will be assigned to review the case and make a recommendation to commission members. The ethics commission said Wednesday that it started a preliminary investigation of Cameron in July 2023.
The complaint that spurred the investigation was made by the state AFL-CIO, which has strong Democratic ties. It came during the heat of the gubernatorial race, which Cameron lost to Gov. Andy Beshear, who won a second term. The labor group said Cameron may have improperly used his position for his own political gain by soliciting campaign donations from executives of a substance abuse treatment organization that was under scrutiny by the attorney general's office.
In its Wednesday filing in the case, the ethics commission said Cameron used his position as attorney general in the spring of 2022 to "personally contact a business owner and influence him to hold a fundraiser and solicit campaign contributions for his financial benefit."
"During the conversation, Cameron referred to his official position as attorney general, referenced his office's duties and asked for a specific minimum contribution of $30,000," the document said.
The commission didn't identify the business owner Wednesday but pointed to Cameron's role as attorney general at the time in overseeing health care providers that received Medicaid funds.
Cameron reiterated Wednesday that he recused himself from the review of the substance abuse treatment group once he was made aware of the conflict and refunded campaign donations.
"I'm going to fight this just like I'll continue fighting for the great people of this commonwealth every single day," Cameron said Wednesday.
Cameron is now running for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell for next year's election. He calls the ethics violation claims against him "bogus."
If the commission finds Cameron violated state ethics law, he could face a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for the one count cited.
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Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
