Ky. Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Association expels Boling from its membership

The Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Association has expelled Christian County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling from its membership.

According to a news release, the Association voted on August 25 to expel both Boling and Ronnie Goldy of the 21st judicial district—the votes remove them from membership in the Association and precludes them from attending future Association functions and conferences.

President Carrie Ovey-Wiggins, who represents the 56th judicial circuit, says, “Serving as an elected Commonwealth’s Attorney is a privilege and so is membership in this Association. Information has come to light regarding both individuals that fall well below the standard we believe Commonwealth’s Attorneys must uphold to maintain public trust. While we do not have the authority to take any formal action regarding their status as elected Commonwealth’s Attorneys, we feel this action is necessary to express our objection to such behavior.”

Boling has been under scrutiny since he wrote a letter to then Governor Matt Bevin on behalf of Dayton Jones as he sought a pardon or commutation from charges related to the 2014 video-recorded sexual assault of a 15-year-old male at a party on Lafayette Road. There are other incidents under investigation by the Kentucky Bar Association for possible disciplinary action, including actions that were deemed prosecutorial misconduct that led to the Kentucky Supreme Court overturning a guilty verdict against convicted arsonist Karen Brafman.