Former CA sentenced to 41 months

LEXINGTON The former Commonwealth’s Attorney for Bath, Rowan, Menifee and Montgomery Counties was sentenced to 41 months for honest services wire fraud and bribery, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Kentucky.

Ronnie Goldy, 51, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves on Friday. He was convicted of honest services wire fraud, use of an interstate facility with the intent to carry on unlawful activity and bribery concerning a program that receives federal funds.

According to evidence presented, Goldy maintained a sexual relationship with a woman — including encounters, solicitations and acceptance of explicit images and videos. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Goldy used his position as Commonwealth’s Attorney to perform official actions, benefiting the woman. Goldy was aware the images and encounters were provided in exchange for his willingness to perform — or pressure others to perform — official actions benefiting the woman, according to the release.

Goldy was convicted by a federal jury in February of all 14 counts in the indictment.

“Instead of doing the job he was elected to do, Mr. Goldy chose to abuse his authority and to pressure other officials to advance his corrupt personal interests,” said Carlton S. Shier IV, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “When those entrusted with enforcing the law blatantly abuse their authority, it demands accountability. This was a disgraceful betrayal of the public trust and it undermined public safety and law enforcement. Through the hard work of committed law enforcement, he now faces that accountability.”

Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office, said Goldy’s sentencing should serve as a “warning to corrupt officials throughout the Commonwealth that the FBI will not stand by when allegations of abuse of power come to our attention.”

Shier and Stansbury jointly announced the sentencing. The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Boone represented the United States in the case.