An impeachment petition has been filed against state Rep. Robert Goforth (R-89), asking that he be impeached for “misdemeanors in office.” The petition was sent to the House clerk this afternoon, as required. (A copy of the petition is attached below.)
The petition begins:
Comes the undersigned, pursuant to KRS 63.020, et seq. and Sections 66 and 68 of the Kentucky Constitution, and moves for the IMPEACHMENT of Rep. Robert Goforth for engaging in “misdemeanors in office” as defined in the Constitution, including breach of public trust, felonious acts of violence upon women, abuse of office and state property, and other misfeasance and malfeasance as outlined herein.
The petition was filed by Mike and Carol Vanwinkle, Kelly Smith, Emily Ladoceur, Rebecca Tucker, Jeffrey Richey, Nikita Vundi, Rebecca Parish, Laurie White, and Matthew Frederick.
The Goforth petition’s claims
The remainder of the petition outlines the bases for impeachment as follows:
Criminal activity
The indictment of Goforth for assaulting his wife in 2020 “to such an extent that she sought protection from law enforcement and suffered bruising and physical damages.” The petition notes that criminal charges are still pending in Laurel County.
Abuse of office for personal and financial gain
After Goforth was charged, he sent a mailer to voters in his district, without the required disclaimer as to who paid for the mailer. The mailer was supposedly written by his wife.
Also, he was able to use the mail addresses that he had access to by virtue of his office. The petition states that “Rep. Goforth acted to influence those involved in his criminal prosecution, using his office and his public position.”
Financial misconduct
Finally, the petition notes that Mrs. Goforth was acting on behalf and at the direction of Goforth when she drafted and mailed the letter. Hiring a spouse for a campaign is allowed, but must be reported in the candidate’s financial disclosure forms. Not only did Goforth not disclose such employment; he has not filed any of the legally required campaign finance forms for his campaign in 2020.
Next steps for the Goforth petition
It is unclear at the moment as to the disposition of the Goforth impeachment petition, now that it has been filed. House Speaker Osborne could assign it to the same special committee he has already formed to hear the petition against Governor Beshear. Or, he could form a new special committee. Or, he could send it to the Judiciary committee, as has been customary in the past.
Other impeachment petitions
Sources tell Forward Kentucky that other impeachment petitions are being drafted and will be filed soon. According to these sources, at least one more, but as many as three more may be filed, all against Republicans in state government.
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