Yet another Democrat was involved in a very serious crime. Details below…
A former Democratic lawmaker and Kentucky Justice Cabinet secretary who was once in charge of the state’s prison system is now facing a very serious allegation.
On Monday, John Tilley was arrested and charged with first-degree rape. According to his arrest citation, the 53-year-old forced the victim to have sex without her consent.
BREAKING REPORT: Former Democrat Kentucky state representative and Kentucky Justice Cabinet Secretary John Tilley was arrested on Monday and faces a rape charge.
Source [WKYT]
— DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) August 9, 2022
Former Kentucky justice secretary and legislator John Tilley posted his $25,000 bond late last night, has arraignment hearing for his first-degree rape charge at 1pm today: https://t.co/h0LaAN4NQB via @courierjournal
— Joe Sonka (@joesonka) August 9, 2022
The alleged rape occurred on Apr. 15 at Marriott City Center, a hotel in downtown Lexington.
Tilley is being represented by Louisville attorneys Steve Schroering and Chris Spedding.“John Tilley maintains his innocence of the criminal charges and has cooperated with the investigation,” Schroering said.
More details of this report from the ‘Courier Journal’:
A spokesperson for the Lexington Police Department told The Courier Journal Tilley was charged Monday morning “regarding a Special Victims Investigation that occurred this year.”
“At this time, it is still an ongoing investigation,” spokesperson Hannah Sloan said.
Tilley, 53, was being held Monday morning at the Lexington-Fayette County jail, according to the detention center’s online database.
He was released late that day after posting a $25,000 bond, and his arraignment hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday in Fayette District Court.
Tilley posted a $25,000 cash bond that evening, and his legal team said he was cooperating with authorities.
Tilley was elected as a Democratic state representative in 2006 and served five terms, WKYT reported.
In 2015, Tilley was appointed secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet by then-Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican.
Tilley served there through 2019, overseeing the Kentucky State Police as well as the state’s departments of correction and juvenile justice, the Courier-Journal reported.
A number of other Democratic officials have gotten into legal trouble in recent months as well.
In April, New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin surrendered to authorities on a charge of campaign finance fraud. He was formerly charged with bribery, fraud, and falsification of records while a state senator.
In May, one of the most prominent Democratic officials in California resigned amid a growing corruption probe.
Melahat Rafiei announced she is resigning from her position as the secretary of the California Democratic Party and State Representative to the Democratic National Committee.
Sources: WLT, WKYT, Courier Journal
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