Attorney Explains New Subpoenas Against Green

The attorney who will prosecute the removal trial of Louisville Metro Councilwoman Judy Green, D-1, met with the Charging Committee Monday to discuss his latest subpoenas, which probe the embattled lawmaker’s Kroger gift card purchases.Last week, attorney Gregg Hovious filed a motion seeking all records associated with Green’s council-issued credit card over the past three years. It seeks to uncover the identify of the user and any items purchased since fiscal year 2007-08.An investigation by the Courier-Journal found Green made around $1,400 worth of purchases with up to 70 gift cards for low-income residents, but there were no records of who received them or what was purchased. When the police department's Public Integrity Unit interviewed Green's former aide, Melody Hill, she told investigators she could only account for some of the purchases.Hovious says that information and more could become relevant should Green's defense make similar arguments that were made during her ethics hearings."If we start getting into things like if she testifies that she’s got good character or as to her reputation or other good deeds that she’s done we’re going to go into everything," says Hovious. "Including the use of the Kroger gift cards."Green's attorney Derwin Webb, says those records have nothing to do with the misconduct charges. However, the charging commitee believes it is better to have all pertinent information about the councilwoman's appropriations during her tenure."It’s like a lot of things in life, it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I want to pull in all the evidence that I can and be ready to use it in case I need to," says Hovious.The removal hearing is scheduled to begin September 12. Last week, Webb filed a motion to delay the proceedings by at least 30 days citing Green being hospitalized for an undisclosed medical condition. Hovious filed a counter motion saying Green has presented no evidence showing any illness. The Metro Council Court will convene Thursday to decide on whether to postpone the trial by a majority vote.