LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The father of Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes pleaded not guilty Wednesday in federal court to charges he committed campaign finance fraud.
Jerry Lundergan faces 10 counts that include unlawful campaign contributions, false statements and falsifying records. Dale Emmons, a veteran Democratic political consultant, also was indicted in the case and likewise pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the charges.
The indictment alleges Lundergan and Emmons used a company, S.R. Holding Co. Inc., to fund the 2014 senatorial campaign of Lundergan Grimes. The indictment says Lundergan did not ask the campaign for reimbursement, but he did ask for partial reimbursement after federal authorities issued subpoenas and a search warrant in 2016.
On Wednesday, Lundergan and Emmons waived their right to have the indictment read and both were released pending their next court date.
Lundergan was given light travel restrictions and will be allowed to travel to work on relief efforts for Hurricane Florence.
Lundergan Grimes’ run against U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2014 was one of the country’s most expensive Senate campaigns that year. Her campaign raised nearly $19 million, according to the Federal Election Commission. She lost the election and is in her second term as secretary of state.
Lundergan is expected to answer to those charges shortly.
