Daniel Cameron faces a $5,000 civil penalty as the Kentucky Ethics Commission pushes forward with what he calls a “bogus” investigation targeting his Senate campaign just as he leads polls over his Republican rival by 26 points.
Key Takeaways
- Daniel Cameron is facing an ethics investigation for allegedly soliciting $30,000 in campaign donations from Edgewater Recovery Centers, a company his office was investigating.
- Cameron has denounced the investigation as “Democratic lawfare” and “political persecution,” comparing it to legal challenges faced by President Trump.
- The investigation was initiated by Democratic Governor Andy Beshear and comes as Cameron campaigns for Mitch McConnell’s soon-vacant Senate seat.
- If found guilty of violating state ethics laws, Cameron could face a civil penalty of up to $5,000.
- Despite the controversy, polling shows Cameron leading his Republican primary opponent Rep. Andy Barr by 26 percentage points.
Ethics Commission Alleges Campaign Finance Violations
The Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission is investigating former Attorney General Daniel Cameron over allegations that he improperly solicited campaign donations from Edgewater Recovery Centers while the organization was under scrutiny by his office. According to the commission, Cameron contacted a business owner in spring 2022 to influence a fundraiser and specifically requested a minimum contribution of $30,000 for his gubernatorial campaign. The investigation, which began in July 2023, stems from a complaint filed by the state AFL-CIO, a labor organization with strong Democratic ties.
“During the conversation, Cameron referred to his official position as attorney general, referenced his office’s duties and asked for a specific minimum contribution of $30,000,” stated the ethics commission in its findings.
Cameron Refutes Allegations as Political Targeting
Cameron has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation “bogus” and politically motivated. He maintains that he recused himself from the investigation into Edgewater Recovery Centers once he became aware of the potential conflict of interest and promptly returned the $7,600 in donations received from company executives. Additionally, planned fundraising events were canceled after the transactions became public. Cameron has drawn parallels between his situation and the legal challenges faced by President Trump, framing both as examples of Democrats weaponizing government institutions against political opponents.
“They want to charge me with an ethics violation over a bogus two-year-old claim from an investigation I recused from, and campaign donations I refunded. I hope you see this for what it is – this isn’t ‘ethics’—it’s Democratic lawfare,” said Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky Attorney General.
Political Implications for Senate Race
The timing of this investigation has raised eyebrows as it coincides with Cameron’s campaign for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Mitch McConnell. Having announced his candidacy for the 2026 Senate race, Cameron is competing against Republican Rep. Andy Barr and businessman Nate Morris. Despite the ethics cloud, polling data released by Cameron’s campaign shows him leading Rep. Barr by a substantial 26 percentage points. The investigation was initially called for by Democratic Governor Andy Beshear in 2023, shortly after defeating Cameron in the gubernatorial race.
“This is the definition of political persecution. It’s the exact same thing they tried to do to President Trump. But like President Trump, I won’t let the left beat me,” said Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky Attorney General.
Next Steps in the Ethics Investigation
An administrative law judge has been assigned to review the case and will make a recommendation to the full ethics commission. If found in violation of state ethics laws, Cameron could face a civil penalty of up to $5,000. The commission’s procedure involves a hearing process before the final determination is made. Despite requests for comment from media outlets including Fox News Digital, the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission has not provided additional information about the timeline for a resolution or potential hearings. Cameron remains defiant, emphasizing his commitment to fighting the allegations.
“I’m going to fight this just like I’ll continue fighting for the great people of this commonwealth every single day,” said Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky Attorney General.
