— by Bradley Blankenship —
On February 6th, Boone County’s local state representative, TJ Roberts, posted what he claimed was evidence of corruption by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. He said, quote, “I’ve got the receipts to prove it.” However, what he posted was, at best, grasping at straws: it was a routine expenditure report that detailed Governor Beshear’s travel to Europe in his capacity as Kentucky’s governor, along with the rest of his travel company.
However, these receipts reveal something much more important: It appears that Mr. Roberts leaked these reports from his committee assignment with intergovernmental affairs, and, in doing so, he also leaked the address of a state employee. In other words, while accusing Governor Beshear of misusing his public office, he had actually himself misused his public office to score political points and put a public employee in danger in the process. This is extremely egregious, and we must call it what it is: corruption.
At the heart of this scandal lies a grave breach of ethical and legal norms. The disclosure of a state employee’s home address serves no legitimate oversight purpose and instead exposes this individual to serious security risks. Public servants, regardless of their political affiliations, have a right to personal privacy, particularly when their roles do not inherently demand public exposure. In an era of heightened political division and targeted harassment, the deliberate or reckless publication of a home address is an invitation to harassment, intimidation, or worse.
From a legal standpoint, the exposure of a public employee’s private information raises significant concerns. Kentucky law, like many other states, includes statutes that protect personal identifying information from being shared without consent. While public records laws ensure government transparency, they do not extend to needlessly doxxing public officials, particularly in cases where the disclosure serves no meaningful public interest. In this case, Roberts’ actions suggest, at minimum, a reckless disregard for privacy laws and, at worst, a potential misuse of office for political retribution.
This is not merely an ethical lapse – it is an abuse of power. Mr. Roberts’ decision to leak these documents in this manner suggests he is willing to weaponize information acquired through his legislative position to attack political opponents. Ironically, while attempting to accuse Beshear of corruption, Roberts has demonstrated his own inability to wield power responsibly. If his accusations were genuinely rooted in concern for government accountability, he would have presented substantive evidence rather than resorting to a reckless act of exposure that served no legitimate purpose beyond political theater.
More broadly, this episode highlights the dangers of authoritarian tendencies among elected officials. I have known Mr. Roberts for quite some time. He and I were classmates (he was younger than I) at Conner High School, and he was known for his rather egotistical and immature behavior. Later, he developed authoritarian politics, joined the so-called Liberty Hangout blog, defended monarchy in several debates, made a litany of anti-Semitic statements, was flagged by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist, and, just one month into office, has resorted to blatant authoritarian and corrupt tactics to intimidate his political opponents.
This is a concerning pattern. Throughout history, figures who traffic in conspiracy theories, embrace extreme ideologies, and disregard ethical norms tend to escalate their abuses of power over time. By leaking a public employee’s address and misrepresenting an ordinary expenditure report as evidence of corruption, Roberts is setting a dangerous precedent. Today, it is a state employee’s personal information. Tomorrow, it could be the suppression of political opposition through more aggressive means.
The implications of this incident should not be ignored. The Kentucky State Legislature and relevant oversight committees must take this breach seriously. If Roberts acquired this information through his position and then misused it for political attacks, as it appears he has, there must be consequences. A failure to address this now will only embolden further abuses down the line.
Beyond legislative accountability, this also warrants scrutiny from law enforcement. Leaking the home address of a government employee, particularly in a climate where public officials are increasingly targeted, could rise to the level of criminal misconduct. It is for this reason that I believe the Kentucky State Police and federal agencies must take note, as it raises concerns not just about state-level corruption but also about broader threats to democratic governance.
Ultimately, the voters of Boone County and Kentucky at large must take note of Roberts’ actions. When a politician resorts to unethical tactics to smear opponents and intimidate public employees, it is a red flag for how they will govern. Accountability must come not just from law enforcement and oversight bodies but from the public itself. Kentucky deserves leaders who respect the offices they hold and the people they serve, not those who recklessly endanger others for political gain.
Roberts’ actions here are a case study in the dangers of placing extremists in positions of power. If his first month in office is any indication, Kentucky has a serious problem on its hands. The question now is: will the system hold him accountable, or will this kind of behavior become the new norm?
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Written by Bradley Blankenship, a Boone County native, investigative journalist, columnist, and political analyst. Cross-posted from Link NKY.
