FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Attorney General Andy Beshear says the Kentucky Retirement Systems board has violated the state Open Meetings Law.
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin removed Thomas Elliot, the board’s chairman, from the board in April. But Elliott refused to leave. Last month, Bevin’s office sent state troopers to a board meeting and threatened to arrest Elliott if he participated.
Beshear said the board, through its actions and the actions of other state agencies, violated the Open Meetings Law because the presence of state troopers before and during the meeting created an atmosphere that chilled or confined the public’s right to freely attend the meeting.
Jim Carroll, founder of Kentucky Government Retirees, filed the original complaint with Beshear’s office. He said he hopes the ruling means future meetings will be conducted transparently and free of disruption.