On Friday, a federal jury in Lexington found Ronnie Goldy, the former Commonwealth’s Attorney for Bath, Rowan, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties, guilty of several charges including honest services wire fraud, use of an interstate facility for unlawful activity, and bribery related to a federally funded program. Goldy was convicted on all 14 counts listed in his indictment.
According to the presented evidence, Goldy had a personal relationship with a woman that involved sexual encounters and the exchange of sexually explicit images and videos. Throughout the scheme, Goldy used his position as the Commonwealth’s Attorney to carry out official actions or exert influence on other public officials in order to benefit the woman. He was aware that these sexually explicit materials and occasional sexual encounters were provided in exchange for his cooperation in performing official actions that favored the woman with whom he had the relationship.
“Instead of fulfilling his elected duties, Mr. Goldy made the decision to victimize an individual in a vulnerable position and traded his authority as a law enforcement official for personal gain,” stated Carlton S. Shier, IV, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Shier emphasized the detrimental impact that occurs when law enforcement officials fail to uphold the law, causing harm to both victims and the justice system itself. He added that this prosecution is a crucial step in restoring public trust in the system and ensuring accountability for Mr. Goldy’s disgraceful actions.