A federal prosecutor is objecting to a request by Richie Farmer’s attorney that the former agriculture commissioner’s criminal trial be delayed until February.
Farmer’s trial on charges of misappropriating government resources was originally set for July, but his attorney, Guthrie True, wants to move it until early next year, saying he needs more time to prepare.
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Taylor filed a court brief this week asking that the trial be scheduled for sometime this fall, saying a delay until February would be excessive.
Farmer pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance Thursday, where he was also informed of his rights.
"We're glad to finally get the initial appearance out of the way, we're going to be ready when trial time comes and the rest of the story will come out then," says Farmer's attorney, Guthrie True.
The federal indictment of former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer won't become a problem for the Department of Agriculture, Farmer's successor said on Monday.
James Comer, who took over the office in 2011, and his office say they have helped with the multiple investigations of Farmer's tenure as agriculture commissioner—including those conducted by the state auditor, attorney general or others.
Since 2011, Comer says, he's worked to restore public confidence in the department post-Farmer.
LEXINGTON — Richie Farmer, the basketball star turned Kentucky politician, was indicted last week on charges stemming from his tenure as state agriculture commissioner.
