LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A former high-ranking state official whose criminal charges were an embarrassment for Kentucky’s former governor and current attorney general has pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge.
Tim Longmeyer abruptly resigned as a deputy in the attorney general’s office two days before a criminal complaint charging him was announced in March. Longmeyer pleaded guilty Tuesday to using his influence as the head of the state’s Personnel Cabinet under former Gov. Steve Beshear to steer contracts to a public relations firm in 2014 and 2015.
Beshear’s son, current Attorney General Andy Beshear, hired Longmeyer as his top deputy earlier this year.
The 48-year-old Longmeyer appeared before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell and admitted to receiving more than $200,000 in kickbacks from the public relations firm.
Sentencing is Aug. 18. He faces up to 10 years in prison.