Kentucky News Now – May 30th 2014

DESTROYED DOCUMENTS

Probe finds no laws broken in document shredding

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com )

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police have finished an investigation of document shredding by former Legislative Research Commission Director Bobby Sherman and determined no laws were violated.

The documents were shredded last September two days after Sherman resigned. His departure came after his office investigated sexual harassment complaints against a former state lawmaker.

State police spokesman Paul Blanton told the Lexington Herald-Leader on Thursday that the shredded documents investigation was completed within the past week and no criminal act was found.

Sherman told The Courier-Journal last year that he went with other LRC staffers on a Sunday after he resigned to clean out his office and shredded documents, none of which involved sexual harassment allegations or any investigations involving the agency.

The Herald-Leader said Sherman was not immediately available for comment.

LAUNDERING AFGHANISTAN BRIBES

2 plead guilty to laundering Afghanistan bribes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors in Memphis say two men face up to 20 years in prison for laundering about $250,000 in bribe payments from contractors in Afghanistan.

The U.S. attorney's office for West Tennessee says 44-year-old Jimmy Dennis pleaded guilty Wednesday to laundering conspiracy. James Pittman pleaded guilty to the same charge on May 15.

Dennis, of Clarksville, is a former Army first sergeant assigned to the Humanitarian Aid Yard at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. He worked to get supplies for urgent humanitarian relief from Afghan contractors.

Dennis accepted $250,000 in return for adding certain vendors and contractors to his list of eligible suppliers.

Prosecutors say Dennis mailed the money to the United States. Pittman, of Rossville, Georgia, laundered bribe money through his landscaping company.

Dennis' home base was Fort Campbell.

EBAY EXPANSION

eBay expanding facilities in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — An eBay-owned company is planning to expand its operations in northern Kentucky with a 630,000-square-foot facility.

A statement from Gov. Steve Beshear's office says the expansion in Walton by eBay Enterprise would create about 300 full-time jobs.

It would be the company's third facility in Kentucky, with operations in Louisville and Shepherdsville. eBay Enterprise is a provider of e-commerce technology and services.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2.3 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The new facility is expected to open in the summer.

FISHING TOURNAMENT

Land Between the Lakes to host fishing tournament

GOLDEN POND, Ky. (AP) — Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area is hosting a fishing tournament for children and adults who are physically or mentally challenged.

The annual Special Populations Fishing Tournament at the 170,000-acre recreation area on the Kentucky-Tennessee border takes place on June 7 from 9 a.m. to noon CDT and is free. Pre-registration is encouraged so that organizers can be sure to have adequate supplies on hand.

Those interested in the tournament can call (270) 924-2046 for more information or to register.

The tournament is sponsored by the Kentucky Lake Bass Club and is in its 37th year.

DIAGEO DISTILLERY

Diageo announces plan for new distillery in Ky.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Global liquor giant Diageo PLC says it plans to build a new distillery in Kentucky.

The company said in a statement on Thursday that the project, planned on 300 acres in Shelby County, would be a significant investment in the state's growing bourbon industry. It still needs approval from local government officials.

A variety of current and future Diageo bourbon and whiskey brands will be distilled at the proposed facility. The $115 million project would also include six barrel storage warehouses.

State and local officials expressed enthusiasm about the project, saying they look forward to working with the company as it expands its presence in Kentucky.

London-based Diageo's brands include Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness.

TOYOTA PLANT

Toyota's Georgetown plant marks 10 millionth car

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Toyota Camry was the first and 10 millionth vehicle produced at the company's Georgetown plant.

Company officials celebrated the 10 millionth vehicle during a ceremony Thursday morning that featured the two cars side by side.

The plant hired 3,000 people out of a pool of 100,000 applicants when it first opened in 1988. Now, the plant employs 7,000 people. Company officials said they have invested $5.9 billion in the facility.

The plant is scheduled to build the first Lexus vehicles in the United States next year.

While the plant's first vehicle was preserved for history, the company plans to give away the 10 millionth vehicle to an employee through a random drawing later this summer.