Ex-school chief sentenced in Ky. vote-buying case
Nov 13, 2012, 9:13 PM
Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – A former eastern Kentucky school superintendent has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for leading a vote-buying conspiracy during the 2010 primary elections.
U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell on Tuesday also levied a $250,000 fine on 66-year-old Arch Turner. He was Breathitt County superintendent from 2005 until his retirement this year after he was charged. The fine is more than six times the maximum recommended under the federal sentencing guidelines.
Caldwell called Turner’s crimes “heinous and cynical” because they struck at the center of the democratic process. Turner pleaded guilty in July to distributing money to others to buy votes for candidates he supported in local races.
Eleven others, including a former sheriff, were convicted or pleaded guilty in related cases.
Turner said little throughout the hearing and was ordered immediately into federal custody.
______
Follow Associated Press reporter Brett Barrouquere on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/BBarrouquereAP
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)