FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 9, 2024) – Attorney General Russell Coleman marked 100 days since taking office as Kentucky’s 52nd Attorney General. General Coleman promised the people of Kentucky that he would protect their families and uphold the rule of law. His first 100 days have been defined by promises kept through zealous collaboration.
“I’m grateful the people of this Commonwealth put their confidence in me to get back in the fight and protect Kentucky families,” said Attorney General Coleman. “It’s a privilege to work alongside incredible public servants in the Office of the Attorney General who have accomplished so much in these 100 days, and we’re just getting started. I will continue to work on behalf of all Kentuckians to make our Commonwealth safer, stronger and freer.”
The following is a sample of the achievements from the first 100 days:
FIGHTING VIOLENT CRIME AND FRAUD
- Secured the sentencing of former Floyd County educator for the sexual assault of minors while she was their coach and teacher.
- Obtained the indictment of a Louisville man for a nonfatal shooting with a deadly weapon.
- Secured the sentencing of a former Eddyville Correctional Officer for engaging in sexual conduct with an incarcerated inmate.
- Joint action with Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 21st Judicial District Ashton McKenzie that led to a 43-year sentence for a 2014 Rowan County murder.
- Together with Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina Whethers, challenged a Jefferson Circuit Court ruling that would allow even the most violent felons to legally possess firearms.
- Prosecuted the owner of an Eastern Kentucky eye care center who submitted false Medicaid billings and led to over a dozen patients – including children – being denied proper eye care.
BORDER SECURITY
- Stood with Governor Greg Abbott and Texas’s right to secure its southern border. President Biden’s failed policies have left the border wide open and made Kentucky a border state.
- Joined several efforts to end the border crisis and curb the flow of deadly drugs into this country.
- Called on the U.S. Senate to quickly pass the Laken Riley Act. The bipartisan bill provides state governments and federal immigration authorities more tools to fight illegal alien crime.
COMBATING THE DRUG CRISIS
- Sued Kroger for its role in the devastating drug crisis in Kentucky. Between 2006-2019, Kroger pharmacies purchased roughly the equivalent of 444 million opioid doses for Kentucky and were responsible for over 11% of all opioid pills dispensed in the Commonwealth. Despite clear red flags, Kroger did not report a single suspicious prescription in Kentucky between 2007-2014.
- Outlined the need for a gold-standard statewide prevention initiative in collaboration with the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. The Commission administers the Commonwealth’s portion of the approximately $900 million in settlements reached with opioid companies.
- Read Attorney General Coleman’s remarks “This is a Spark of Hope.”
- Appointed Darren “Foot” Allen, of Rockcastle County, to represent Kentucky’s law enforcement community on the Opioid Commission.
- Announced a major $350 million nationwide settlement with Publicis Health for its role in fueling the drug crisis. The marketing and advertising agency helped companies like Purdue Pharma promote their deadly drugs and profit off Kentuckians’ addiction.
- Called on President Biden to address a federal loophole that enables fentanyl and other illicit drugs to be smuggled into the United States.
FIGHTING THE BIDEN AGENDA
ICYMI: Watch Attorney General Coleman on Fox Business’ The Big Money Show
- Launched a 24-state lawsuit to halt a devastating new air quality rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would raise costs on Kentucky manufacturers, utilities and families.
- Read Attorney General Coleman’s op-ed on FoxNews.com: “Our air is great, but Green New Deal is tough to swallow”
- Successfully blocked the Biden Administration’s highway emissions rule that tried to drive gas-powered cars off the road.
- Joined a 25-state coalition that stalled a Biden Administration climate mandate that would have forced businesses to track and report greenhouse gas emissions – costing them billions of dollars while undermining good jobs in the process.
- Condemned a new Biden Administration proposal that targets Kentucky’s meat and poultry processing industry with Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell.
ZEALOUS COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL PROSECUTORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Hosted a roundtable conversation on the reality of retail crime with the Kentucky Retail Federation, Commonwealth’s and County Attorneys and federal, state and local law enforcement.
- Joint investigation with federal partners led to a 28-year sentence of a Pulaski County man for production of child pornography.
- Led successful effort to save vulnerable adult from abusive home in Robertson County with Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 18th Judicial District Douglas Miller
