{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Monday, the Personnel Board is expected to consider an audit of the Agriculture Department under former Commissioner Richie Farmer. The audit, requested by state Auditor Adam Edelen, found evidence that candidates for merit positions were pre-selected, monetary awards were issued without input from supervisors and that a merit employee's responsibilities were removed without documenting the action in a personnel file. Former personnel director Danita Fentress-Laird told auditors that sometimes the interview panel knew which candidate Farmer wanted hired and it would recommend that person first. Laird also said Farmer would pick employees to receive monetary rewards for work excellence and then tell her to create a reason for them. Edelen also referred results of the audit to the Internal Revenue Service, Attorney General Jack Conway and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. Farmer's attorney, Guthrie True, said he thought an investigation focused on his client would be unlikely. "I would think most of their investigation would be focused in conjunction with the current administration in the Department of Agriculture," True said. Current Agriculture Commissioner James Comer says he has fired about 20 employees, and, while he hasn't filled any of the merit positions vacant when he took office, if and when he fills the positions, the appointments will be consistent with merit laws and regulations and will be chosen from the recommendations made by the interview panel.
