{Frankfort, Kentucky}...The state agriculture department confirmed it had records showing former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has asked for unemployment benefits, but Holly VonLuehrte, the agency's general counsel, says state law requires the records to remain confidential. Farmer served as commissioner for eight years, making a yearly salary of more than $110,000 when his term ended, and he left office January 1st. Elected public officials are not eligible for unemployment benefits under state unemployment compensation law. If the claim were approved, he could have received $415 a week. State officials say they can't remember the last time an elected state official asked for unemployment benefits.
