|
Former state
Representative W. Keith Hall, 56, who was convicted in federal
court in June 2015 of paying $46,000 over a five-year period to
former mining inspector Kelly Shortridge, was also fined
$25,000, said his attorney, Brent Caldwell.
Prosecutors said at Hall's trial in Lexington that most of the
funds were funneled from Hall’s companies to a shell company the
two men created in the name of Shortridge’s wife.
Shortridge reached a plea agreement and testified against Hall.
He is slated to start his 24-month sentence next week.
According to court documents, sentencing guidelines for Hall
called for more than eight years in prison.
His attorneys argued a sentence closer to the minimum 6-1/2
years was more appropriate. Caldwell said on Thursday an appeal
was still possible, adding his client disagreed with the
verdict.
Hall, a Democrat, served 14 years in the Kentucky General
Assembly before losing a primary election in May 2014. His
indictment came five months later. His companies listed in the
indictment included Beech Creek Coal Co, LLC & HEI Services LLC.
(Reporting by Steve Bittenbender, Editing by Ben Klayman and
Peter Cooney)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
