LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Former state representative and Pikeville coal operator Keith Hall has been sentenced to seven years for bribing a state mine official.
U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell sentenced the 56-year-old Hall on Thursday and ordered him to pay a $25,000 fine.
Hall was convicted by a jury in June of paying former mine reclamation officer Kelly Shortridge for favorable treatment in connection with his official duties.
The prosecutor’s office said evidence at trial showed that Shortridge was paid more than $46,000 to ignore violations at Hall’s property. Defense lawyer Brent Caldwell said at the time that most of the money was for legitimate coal-related business deals between the men.
Shortridge was sentenced to two years.
Hall is a Democrat who represented Pike County for 14 years.