Richard Dwight Farmer, Jr., Public Corruption, Kentucky 2014

FRANKFORT, KY - In a shocking turn of events, former Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Richard Dwight Farmer, Jr., was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for misappropriating public resources during his tenure in office.

The crime, which took place in 2008 and 2011, involved the misuse of a total of $120,500 in funds, including the purchase of excessive gifts for a KDA-sponsored conference and the misappropriation of labor costs by hiring friends who performed little to no actual work for the KDA.

The case against Farmer was brought by the Kentucky Attorney General's Office and the FBI, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth R. Taylor and Andrew T. Boone, and trial attorney Sean Mulryne with the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Farmer was elected to two terms as Commissioner of Agriculture and was responsible for the supervision and administration of the KDA from January 2004 until January 2012.

The sentencing, which took place on March 18, 2014, also included a one-year supervised release and a special assessment of $200.00. Farmer was released on his own recognizance and will have to report to prison to begin serving his sentence.

The public has been well-served by the dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors who prepared and prosecuted this case, and their commitment to the task is noteworthy and appreciated, said U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey.

Farmer will have to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be required to pay $120,500 in restitution to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/former-agriculture-commissioner-sentenced-27-months-misappropriating-department-funds