In a stinging letter delivered Wednesday, the Louisville Metro Ethics Commission has officially reprimanded and censured Councilwoman Judy Green, D-1, for conduct associated with two separate ethics complaints. The public rebuke is the first time the panel has issued such a punishment against an elected official in Metro Government.Over the course of a month, Green was found guilty of deliberately violating the city's code of ethicsFrom the ethics commission:As it detailed in the findings of fact and conclusions of law ... your behavior fell below the acceptable standards of a Metro Officer and brought discredit upon yourself, and the Metro Council, by virtue of your association with that body. Moreover, your actions caused our citizens to question the confidence they have in local government and its officials.
Denying any wrongdoing in both cases, Green told Fox 41 the hearings were a "witch hunt" and refused to step down. She has filed an appeal with Jefferson Circuit Court to overturn the commission’s decision in the first complaint.Last month, a charging committee made up of five council members who signed a petition against Green met to begin the trial-like proceedings to oust her from office. The removal trial could start as early as August, according to attorney Gregg Hovious, who was appointed by the charging committee to prosecute the case."I certainly agree with the violations concerning Councilwoman Green's intentional conduct. And it produces another piece of relevant evidence for the hearing," he says.Green's attorneys could not be reach for comment.For the commission's decision in the first complaint involving the Green Clean Team go here and for the second complaint involving 100 Black Men of Louisville go here.
