The FBI is investigating hundreds of pardons former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin issued after losing his reelection bid in November.
State Rep. Chris Harris revealed on Monday that a criminal investigator had contacted him last week about the pardons, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.
“I can confirm that I have been contacted by someone looking into the pardons that were issued by Gov. Bevin on his way out the door,” the Democratic lawmaker said. “The impression I got is that there was an investigation ramping up.”
Harris did not identify which agency was looking into Bevin’s pardons. Two sources familiar with the investigation said the agent who spoke with Harris is a member of the FBI. The agency did not confirm or deny that it had opened an investigation into the former governor.
Bevin, a Republican, lost his reelection bid to Democratic challenger Andy Beshear. He lost after President Trump won Kentucky by 30 points in 2016. His election likely had less to do with a swing in momentum toward Democrats and more to do with Bevin’s high unpopularity within his own state. Every other Republican running for statewide office won.
In the final few months of his governorship, Bevin signed hundreds of pardons for convicts, including at least one whose family raised $21,500 at a fundraiser for Bevin last year, a man who murdered a mother of three, and a man convicted of raping a 9-year-old. He has faced criticism for the moves.
