Facing impeachment, Kentucky prosecutor accused in nude photos case will resign

Rick Childress
·2 min read
Ronnie Goldy is the commonwealth’s attorney for the 21st Circuit if Bath, Menifee, Montgomery and Rowan counties.

Ronnie Goldy, a commonwealth attorney facing impeachment by the state legislature after being accused of providing legal favors for a woman in exchange for nude photos, will resign from office.

Goldy sent a letter of resignation to Gov. Andy Beshear. According to the letter, provided to the Herald-Leader by the governor’s office, Goldy’s resignation will go into effect on Feb. 28.

News of the resignation comes one day after Articles of Impeachment were brought against Goldy by the House Impeachment Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Daniel Elliott. The Danville Republican told LEX18 on Wednesday he also received the resignation letter.

“It has truly been an honor to serve in the Commonwealth’s Attorney office for the last 16+ years,” Goldy wrote in the short letter. He is the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Bath, Menifee, Montgomery and Rowan counties.

Last year, a state hearing officer concluded that Goldy solicited sexually explicit photos and videos from a woman named Misty Helton after Goldy helped her in court. A former boyfriend of Helton’s took screenshots of the Facebook messages between the two and provided them to a Louisville attorney.

Screenshots previously provided to the Herald-Leader showed that Goldy sent Helton gas money at one point; searched whether she had outstanding arrest warrants; said he would try to move court dates for her; and advised her on getting back her car, which had been impounded after an arrest.

‘Abused his office.’ Ky. prosecutor may face suspension, allegedly sought nude photos for help

The state Supreme Court suspended Goldy but couldn’t remove him from his elected office as only the House of Representatives could do so.

In a written response to an inquiry from the House impeachment committee, Goldy defended himself by arguing that the nude photos and videos Helton sent him were “an extension of the friendship they had developed.” He cites an interview conducted by the Mt. Sterling Advocate with Helton, who told a reporter Goldy was trying to do the right thing and was “a good person.”

Had impeachment proceedings gone forward, the full House would’ve had to vote to impeach Goldy. Then the case would have been prosecuted before the state Senate.

Goldy wasn’t the only Commonwealth’s Attorney potentially facing impeachment this session. Christian County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling, who was found to have used false information to seek a pardon from former Gov. Matt Bevin’s office, will also resign at the end of the month.