Former Commonwealth's Attorney Ronnie Goldy sentenced to 41 months in federal prison | News

LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) – A former commonwealth's attorney was sentenced Friday to 41 months in federal prison after being convicted of honest services wire fraud, using interstate facilities with intent to conduct illegal and corrupt activities involving a program that receives federal funds.

Ronnie Lee Goldy, 51, who had served as the Commonwealth's Attorney for Bath, Rowan, Menifee and Montgomery counties, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves in U.S. District Court in Lexington.

According to the evidence presented, Goldy had a personal relationship with a woman that was sexual in nature and included meeting, soliciting, and accepting sexually explicit images and videos from the woman. At multiple times during the scheme, Goldy used his position as Commonwealth Attorney to perform official actions or to exert pressure and influence on other public officials to perform official actions, for the benefit of the woman .

Goldy knew that these sexually explicit images and periodic sexual encounters were provided in exchange for his willingness to perform, or pressure others to take, official actions benefiting the woman with whom he was in a relationship.

In February, Goldy was convicted by a federal jury of all 14 counts.

“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.

“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 are brought to our attention,” said Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge from the FBI Louisville Field Office. “We will rigorously investigate these allegations and follow the facts wherever they lead, ultimately bringing those who violate federal law to justice.” »

In March 2023, Goldy was impeached by the House and convicted by the Kentucky Senate, which permanently disqualified him from office, after the first such trial since the 1880s.