White-Collar Crime
Ex-Judge Gets 26 Years as Mastermind in Racketeering Conspiracy Vote-Purchase Case
A former Kentucky judge has been sentenced to over 26 years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy among public officials to gain power and control by corrupting Clay County elections in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves called former Clay County Circuit Judge R. Cletus Maricle, 67, the mastermind of the scheme, which involved payments of $50 to some 8,000 voters, among other reported misconduct, according to the Associated Press and the Herald-Leader.
He was convicted of obstruction of justice and conspiracy involving racketeering, money laundering and voter fraud and is expected to appeal.
An earlier Herald-Leader story provides additional details.
