FRANKFORT, KY -- Attorney General Russell Coleman released the following statement Friday after the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky Carlton S. Shier, IV, announced the arrest of Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 33rd Judicial District Scott Blair. The Perry County official was charged with federal honest services wire fraud:
“As Attorney General, I have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and protect families across Kentucky, including those I was elected to serve in Perry County. This individual – like all Americans -- is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“However, prosecutors cannot be effective if they violate the public trust. Given the serious accusations of abusing his office to assist criminals in exchange for drugs and sexual favors, the public good demands that Scott Blair immediately resign.
“Finally, I want the families in Perry County to rest assured that they will not be without a felony prosecutor at any point. Our Office, along with law enforcement partners and prosecutors across the Commonwealth, will step in to protect this community and uphold the rule of law.”
Read the U.S. Attorney’s Office release
The Kentucky Supreme Court’s rule on trial publicity limits information the Office can provide publicly.
The charges in an indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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