Frankfort, Ky. (July 1, 2023) – The Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK) is responding to a report disclosing that Andy Beshear personally signed off on a $500,000 taxpayer-funded grant that he presented to an organization on April 24. Later that evening, Beshear attended a fundraiser for his campaign at the owner of the organization’s home.
Andy Beshear personally signed off on the $500,000 taxpayer-funded check and then held a fundraiser with the group.
“Applications first undergo a state review—Beshear would have signed off in the case of Kentucky-based Raven Cares—before going before a full review by the larger commission, outside experts, and federal panel for final approval. All state members must agree to every award, the spokesperson said.” Daily Beast (July 1, 2023)
Andy Beshear handed a $500,000 taxpayer-funded check to Edgewater’s owner, and held a fundraiser at his home hours later.
“The grant was awarded to Raven Cares, a sober living housing nonprofit that Edgewater owner John David Elam created last year…Beshear personally attended the fundraiser, social media posts show, hours after presenting Edgewater’s owner with a $500,000 grant check at the grand opening of a new nonprofit office in the town of Morehead.” Daily Beast (July 1, 2023)
According to the report, “the exact haul is impossible to confirm.”
“The money from the Beshear fundraiser was transferred to the campaign on May 11. While the totals run into the thousands, the exact haul is impossible to confirm from the details in the filings alone, though contributions at the time from nearby residents run into the tens of thousands of dollars.” Daily Beast (July 1, 2023)
The Republican Party of Kentucky issued the following statement in response to the report:
“Andy Beshear has been exposed once again,” RPK spokesman and Cameron campaign surrogate Sean Southard said. “In April, Beshear handed a $500,000 grant to an organization. And what did he receive in return? A campaign fundraiser hosted at the owner’s house, mere hours later. It’s a disgrace. Beshear’s true colors are finally on display: selling off our government to the highest bidder. He should be utterly ashamed of his participation in this repugnant pay-to-play scheme. Kentuckians deserve answers from Andy Beshear.”
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