Daniel Cameron to attend event hosted by donor involved in Matt Bevin pardons scheme

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is facing increasing scrutiny for his ties to Terry Forcht, a major donor involved in former Gov. Matt Bevin’s contentious pardon of convicted murderer Patrick Baker. Tomorrow, Cameron will be the guest of honor at an event hosted by Forcht, sparking outrage from critics who see this as another example of the attorney general’s failure to investigate Bevin’s controversial pardons.

The Kentucky Democratic Party spokesperson, Anna Breedlove, accused Cameron of prioritizing campaign donations over justice. “It’s clear that Daniel Cameron would much rather take a check from Terry Forcht than investigate Matt Bevin’s heinous pardons of child rapists and murderers,” said Breedlove in a press release. “Cameron is no better than his buddy Bevin who would exchange justice for a campaign check.”

Bevin’s pardon of Baker has been the subject of significant controversy, with both Republican and Democratic politicians calling for a thorough investigation. Notably, Republican Senate President Robert Stivers and Senator Mitch McConnell have criticized Bevin’s pardons and called for federal and state investigations. Yet, despite these bipartisan calls for action, Cameron has not opened any inquiry into the matter.

Terry Forcht’s role in the Baker pardon has raised eyebrows and ethical questions. Forcht, who not only hosted a fundraiser for Bevin but also actively campaigned for Baker’s release through a series of letters, has come under scrutiny for his influence over the pardon. Additionally, Forcht has faced allegations of neglect and understaffing at the nursing home he owns.

Cameron’s decision to attend the event, particularly in light of his office’s staffing decisions, raises further concerns about his commitment to impartiality. According to Breedlove, “First, Cameron filled his office with former Bevin staffers who were directly involved in the pardon scandal, and now he’s taking a check from someone who helped bankroll Bevin while pushing for the pardon of a murderer–this is a slap in the face to the victims, their families, law enforcement, and the prosecutors who helped take these dangerous criminals off the street.”

For victims and their families, who have already experienced the devastating effects of crime, the questions surrounding Cameron’s association with Forcht add another layer of betrayal. Critics argue that the attorney general’s participation in the fundraiser damages his credibility and undermines public trust in the legal system, potentially affecting future prosecutions and investigations.

As the controversy continues to unfold, voters and advocates for justice will closely watch Cameron’s actions to see if they align with his tough-on-crime rhetoric, or whether they reveal a willingness to prioritize political fundraising over legal integrity.

Cameron’s press secretary, Courtney Yopp Norris, said the event was not a fundraiser and that Cameron had referred the pardon matter to the FBI

The event you are referring to is not a fundraiser. It is a meet and greet.  

On the pardon, Cameron referred this matter over to the FBI, a move which was praised at the time by now Congressman Morgan McGarvey. 

Andy Beshear has been exposed for multiple pay-to-play schemes.  

Courtney Yopp Norris, Press Secretary, Cameron for Kentucky

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Photo: President Donald Trump (right) and Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin greet supporters as they arrive at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 21, 2019. Trump was in town to speak at an AMVETS convention and attend a fundraiser for Bevin’s re-election campaign. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Updated Oct. 19, 4:32 p.m.