Former Ky. agriculture chief faces ethics charges

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's former agriculture commissioner has been charged with 42 violations of the state's ethics laws.

The state's Executive Branch Ethics Commission has charged Richie Farmer with 42 ethics violations accusing him of misusing state funds and state employees during his time in office.

He's accused of placing his friends in jobs that had no specified duties and asking them to carry out his personal errands.

He allegedly had employees chauffeur him to doctors' appointments and shopping trips as well as build a basketball court on his property. Farmer was a shooting guard for the University of Kentucky's Wildcats basketball team from 1988 to 1992.

Farmer faces a $5,000 fine for each count, totaling $210,000. Seven employees who worked with Farmer also face ethics charges.