{Frankfort, Kentucky}...George "Doug" Begley, whose uncle is married to former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, worked for nearly five years in the Department of Agriculture out of Breathitt County inspecting amusement park rides in eastern Kentucky, despite never receiving certification to do the work. Begley was making a little more than $33,000 a year. Documents in Begley's personnel file show he voluntarily accepted a demotion to the department's fuel-testing division in March after Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who took office in January, discovered Begley never received his certification. Kentucky's nine remaining amusement ride inspectors all have certifications from the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials, which provides training for inspectors. Comer asked state Auditor Adam Edelen to conduct an audit of the Department of Agriculture after finding several irregularities in the department when he took office in January. Edelen's office is expected to announce the results of that audit Monday.
