A former CA sentenced to 41 months | News

LEXINGTON The former commonwealth's attorney for Bath, Rowan, Menifee and Montgomery counties was sentenced to 41 months in prison for wire fraud and honest services bribery, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Ronnie Goldy, 51, was sentenced Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves. He was convicted of honest services wire fraud, use of an interstate facility with intent to engage in illegal activity, and corruption relating to a program receiving federal funds.

According to the evidence presented, Goldy was engaged in a sexual relationship with a woman – including meetings, solicitations and the acceptance of explicit images and videos. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Goldy used his position as Commonwealth's Attorney to carry out official actions, for the benefit of the woman. Goldy was aware that the images and meetings were provided in exchange for his willingness to perform — or pressure others to perform — official actions benefiting the woman, according to the statement.

Goldy was convicted by a federal jury in February of all 14 counts in the indictment.

“Instead of doing the job he was elected to do, Mr. Goldy chose to abuse his authority and pressure other officials to further his corrupt personal interests,” said Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “When those tasked with enforcing the law blatantly abuse their authority, it demands accountability. This is a shameful betrayal of the public trust that has undermined public safety and law enforcement. Thanks to the hard work of committed law enforcement, he now faces this responsibility.

Michael E. Stansbury, special agent in charge of the FBI's Louisville field office, said Goldy's conviction should serve “as a warning to corrupt officials across the Commonwealth that the FBI will not stand idly by when allegations of “abuse of power will be brought to our attention.”

Shier and Stansbury jointly announced the sentencing. The FBI investigated the matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Boone represented the United States in this case.