Kentucky auditing county and city groups after newspaper reports

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By Ryan Alessi and Linda B. Blackford | Lexington Herald-Leader

LEXINGTON — Kentucky State Auditor Crit Luallen said Wednesday she will audit the Kentucky Association of Counties and Kentucky League of Cities after "alarming media reports" by the Lexington Herald-Leader that created "serious concerns over spending."

Luallen sent letters to KACo President Mike Foster, the Christian County Attorney, and League president Connie Lawson, Richmond's mayor, notifying them of the forthcoming audit.

The auditor's investigation comes after the Herald-Leader reported this week that KACo's five top officials spent nearly $600,000 in two years on travel, meals and other expenses. More than half of those expenses were charged by Bob Arnold, KACo's executive director.

Both organizations are non-profit groups funded through dues from local governments and fees for providing insurance and financing services to counties and cities.

To read the complete article, visit kentucky.com.

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