Richie Farmer Indicted For Misusing State Funds


Former University of Kentucky basketball player Richie Farmer was indicted for misusing state funds for his own personal gain.

Farmer stands accused of abusing his position as Kentucky’s agricultural commissioner to obtain gifts and special treatment for his friends and family. He held the position from 2004 to 2011.

Attorney J. Guthrie True stated that Richie Farmer intends to plead not guilty to the charges against him when he is arraigned on April 30. If he’s found guilty of misappropriating state funds and soliciting goods, then he could spend up to 10 years behind bars.

The indictment charges that Farmer often spent quite a bit of the state’s money on gifts that were supposed to be handed out to visiting state agriculture commissioners during a conference in 2008. Farmer is accused of keeping some of the gifts that were not given away.

The items the 43-year-old former basketball star kept include computers, cigar boxes, knives, watches, and customized Remington rifles. His is also accused of using funds to hire his friends as “ghost employees” who did little to no work for the state.

Officials believe Richie Farmer used state employees to babysit his children, mow his yard, and do various personal errands.

The federal government estimates that Richie Farmer misused approximately $450,000 in state funds for his own personal gain.

Farmer’s attorney feels that his client has done nothing wrong. He explained:

“We feel strongly that the issues raised by the indictment should not be the balliwick of the United States Department of Justice, but rather are matters which should be in the province of the voters of Kentucky. We don’t believe these issues should be in the criminal arena at all.”

Farmer got started in politics with the help of the fame he received as a University of Kentucky basketball player. He easily won elections for agricultural commissioners in 2003 and 2007. Farmer unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor with Republican state Senate President David Williams in 2011.

Are you a fan of Richie Farmer? What do you think about the charges against the former basketball star?

[Image via Shutterstock.com]

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