Governor Ernie F (R) Ky put his foot in it by pardoning

[alfredo]

the nine in the hiring probe. I remember the former Lt Governor Steve Henry being delighted at the prospect of Gov Ernie pleading the 5th or doing some other stupid move.
Look like Ernie is the gift that keeps on giving.

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/editorial/12639176.htm


That's when pre-emptive blanket pardons, which had been under discussion for some time, went to the top of the agenda for a governor trying to protect himself.

Ironically for Fletcher, the pardons also scream "cover-up." And given those sub-freezing post-pardon poll numbers, they may do more to end his political career than to save it.

More problematic for the governor, though, is that lead prosecutor Scott Crawford-Sutherland plans to recall some or all of the folks who took advantage of their Fifth Amendment rights in their first appearance before the grand jury and compel those who accept pardons to testify. If they commit perjury while doing so, it would be a new crime not covered by the governor's blanket amnesty.

While their testimony may not produce an indictment against the governor (the only person who can still be held accountable for any offenses related to this investigation that happened before the pardons), what they say could prove embarrassing to him when it comes out as part of the grand jury's comprehensive report.