Audit: Ex-Ky. basketball star abused public office

By ROGER ALFORD

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) A former University of Kentucky basketball star has been accused of using state workers to run his personal errands during his time as agriculture commissioner.

A state audit turned up allegations that there was a "toxic culture of entitlement" in the Department of Agriculture under Richie Farmer. Farmer played on the legendary 1992 University of Kentucky basketball team dubbed "The Unforgettables" and became an icon in his native state.

The audit says Farmer had workers take him hunting and build a basketball court at his home. It also says he spent state money on a 60-inch television so he could watch a college basketball tournament in his office.

His attorney, Guthrie True, dismissed the audit as politically motivated and said he did not believe it would lead to criminal charges.

Updated April 30, 2012