Over the next month, the officer assigned to embattled Louisville Metro councilwoman Barbara Shanklin’s ethics hearing will craft a response to the case.
Shanklin has been accused of violating five provisions of the city’s ethics code, including using her position to benefit relatives. Last year, the city’s Ethics Commission heard testimony from several witness, including Shanklin herself. However, the councilwoman walked out of the hearing twice at the request of her attorney Aubrey Williams, pleading the Fifth Amendment. Hearing officer Ann Sheadel says she’s asked both sides to address that issue in briefs that were due by the end of the year. Those responses were to also include further arguments to their case. Sheadel says Williams has handed in his response, but prosecuting attorney James Earhart has extended his deadline to Monday. Sheadel will review the case and make recommendations for action to the Ethics Commission by the end of the month. The commission then has until mid-March to decide what recommendations it will make.
