5 members of Louisville Metro Council to petition for removal of Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin

Shanklin accused of mishandling city money

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 29, 2013) — After reviewing the findings of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Ethics Commission in the case against Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin, five members of the Louisville Metro Council have decided to deliver a signed petition to the office of the Metro Council Clerk calling for her removal  in accordance Metro Council Rules and KRS 67C.143.

Shanklin is accused of mishandling city money for an upholstery program that records show benefitted her family. She also is accused of employing her grandson while he had outstanding warrants, and allegedly taking city money for a neighborhood association she chaired.

The five council members signed the petition are: Government Accountability and Ethics Committee Chairman Jerry Miller (District 19) and Vice-Chair Madonna Flood (District 24), Majority Caucus Vice-Chair Vicki Aubrey Welch (District 13), Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh (District 9) and Councilman James Peden (District 23). The five members met with legal counsel Wednesday, where they discussed the various accusations and findings against Shanklin. Based on the information available, the group will move forward with a petition for removal.

Charges against her were read at Thursday’s council meeting.

The following is a joint statement by the members of the charging committee, issued Wednesday:

0“Five members of the Council have come together to create a charging committee with the intent of moving the Metro Council forward in the process of removing Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin pursuant to KRS 67.143. This decision was reached after each person had the opportunity to review the findings that was part of Ethics Commission report regarding complaint number 12-P-014.

In accordance with the procedures established by the state law, the County Attorney and the Metro Council, the five members have delivered a copy of the charging document to the Office of the Metro Council Clerk and the Metro Council President.”

Members of the charging committee will conduct an organizational meeting Monday, April 8, 2013 at 4 p.m. in the Metro Council Chambers of City Hall (601 W. Jefferson Street).

Shanklin’s attorney, Aubrey Williams, told reporters he plans to file an appeal in the case.