Defense opposes longer sentence in Morgan case

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Defense attorneys are objecting to a prosecutor's request to send an eastern Kentucky judge-executive to prison in a corruption case for more time than federal guidelines suggest.

Morgan County Judge-Executive Tim Conley pleaded guilty in August to fraud. Court records indicate he received at least $130,000 in kickbacks from a contractor between 2009 and 2013.

Under federal advisory guidelines, Conley's top sentence would be seven years and three months, but assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Boone has requested a sentence of 11 years and four months.

Prosecutors said the scheme continued as the town struggled to rebuild from a deadly March 2012 tornado and Conley's conduct was worse than that of other public officials charged with similar crimes.

The Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/1wqnTgY) reports defense attorneys said in a response this week that the longer sentence would not be justified.

The defense motion says calculations to determine the top recommended sentence already include the factors referenced by the prosecutor, including the length of the kickback scheme and the number of payoffs.

Defense attorney said in the motion they are seeking a sentence below the minimum of five years and 10 months calculated under the guidelines.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 27.

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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com