Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, has a dubious distinction of being the most corrupt state in the US, according to a recent study by researchers from Harvard University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. The study, published in the journal Public Administration Review, ranked the states based on the number of public corruption convictions per capita between 1976 and 2018. Kentucky topped the list with 8.5 convictions per 100,000 people, followed by Louisiana, Illinois, Alabama, and Mississippi.
A History of Scandal and Bribery
Kentucky’s corruption problem is not new. The state has a long history of scandal and bribery involving public officials at various levels of government. One of the most notorious cases was Operation Boptrot, a federal investigation in the early 1990s that exposed a widespread scheme of legislators accepting bribes from horse-racing interests in exchange for favorable legislation. The operation resulted in the conviction of more than a dozen legislators, including the House Speaker, Don Blandford, who was sentenced to 64 months in prison.
Another prominent case involved Bruce Wilkinson, the nephew and appointments secretary of then-Governor Wallace Wilkinson, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit extortion and fined $20,000 for taking a bribe from a coal company in 1992 . The governor himself was investigated, but not charged, for his role in the scandal .
More recently, in 2023, the former Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorney for Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, and Rowan Counties, Ronnie Goldy, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of honest services wire fraud, using an interstate communication to commit bribery, and federal program bribery. The indictment alleged that Goldy solicited and accepted sexual favors and sexually explicit images from a criminal defendant in exchange for helping them in their cases.
The Causes and Consequences of Corruption
What are the factors that contribute to Kentucky’s high level of corruption? According to the study’s authors, some of the possible causes include the state’s low level of economic development, high poverty rate, weak campaign finance laws, low voter turnout, and lack of media scrutiny. The authors also suggest that the state’s political culture, which values personal loyalty and favors over merit and accountability, may foster a climate of corruption.
The consequences of corruption are manifold and detrimental to the state’s well-being. Corruption erodes public trust in government, undermines the rule of law, wastes public resources, distorts public policies, and hampers economic growth and social development. Corruption also affects the quality of public services, such as education, health care, and infrastructure, that the citizens depend on.
The Need for Reform and Transparency
How can Kentucky curb its corruption problem and restore its reputation? The study’s authors recommend several measures, such as strengthening the enforcement and oversight of ethics laws, increasing the transparency and accountability of public officials, reforming the campaign finance system, enhancing the role of the media and civil society, and promoting civic education and engagement. The authors also urge the state to adopt best practices from other states that have successfully reduced corruption, such as Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.
Kentucky has a lot of potential and assets, such as its natural beauty, rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant industries. However, to realize its full potential, the state needs to address its corruption problem and improve its governance. Only then can Kentucky become a model of integrity and excellence for the nation.