(AP) — A
former high-ranking state official whose criminal charges were an
embarrassment for Kentucky's former governor and current attorney
general has pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge.
Tim
Longmeyer abruptly resigned as a deputy in the attorney general's office two
days before his indictment was announced in March. Longmeyer pleaded guilty
Tuesday to using his influence as the head of the state's Personnel
Cabinet under former Gov. Steve Beshear to steer contracts to a public
relations firm in 2014 and 2015.
Beshear's
son, current Attorney General Andy Beshear, hired Longmeyer as his top deputy
earlier this year.
The
48-year-old Longmeyer appeared before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell and
admitted to receiving more than $200,000 in kickbacks from the public relations
firm.
Sentencing
is Aug. 18. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
