Al Mayo: Richie Farmer — What Else Could We Expect?

News of federal indictments against Richie Farmer hit the media Monday morning, and people across Kentucky must be shaking their collective heads at the alleged behavior of the one-time sports idol. Farmer served two full terms as Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner, and is now facing charges of misappropriating state funds and property and another count that accuses him of soliciting property of value in exchange for intending to be influenced. In simple English, Richie was on the take and wanted everyone to know it. He faces a possible ten years in prison and 250,000 dollar fine on each count.

I know many are asking why he allegedly did these things. I can’t claim any inside knowledge, but I think I can hazard an educated guess. It’s no secret Farmer and his University of Kentucky teammates were, and are considered basketball royalty in the Commonwealth. Farmer has clearly never shaken the idea that he is on scholarship. From the time he was in junior high school, Farmer has been ‘special’. Treated like he can do no wrong–all because he could play basketball. His high school career at Clay County is the stuff you see in movies. He started for his high school varsity as an eighth grader! He once led a barnstorming team back to his hometown and scored 110 points. Amazing schoolboy talent no matter how you look at it. But the very talent that made him a great player, also gave him the feeling that he was entitled.

How many other people that you know, can claim to have been a star since eighth grade? Not many, and Farmer has clearly enjoyed all the perks that go along with the noteriety. Granted, he certainly earned the status of basketball legend in Kentucky after leading Clay County to a state title, then going on to a solid career at UK. He wasn’t spectacular as a Wildcat, but he was solid and a dependable player. However, he was fortunate enough to be one of the “Unforgettables”. The team that helped resurrect UK from basketball oblivion after the Eddie Sutton debacle. His career ironically ended with a loss to Duke. The ‘Laetner Game’ is all you have to mention to UK fans, and they instantly know what you mean. It was arguably the best college basketball game ever. When it was over Richie Farmer was done as a PLAYER.

But as a WILDCAT, Farmer had plenty of things to do, and take advantage of, in his choice of career. He could have stayed in his hometown of Manchester and rested on his laurels. Many ex-athletes do that for life, but for whatever reason, he opted for politics. He ran, and won the Ag Commissioner seat with two-thirds of the popular vote as a Republican, then four years later won again with a similar margin. There, I suspect, is where the troubles REALLY began. Farmer was clearly a prodigious vote getter, and a rising GOP star. I was assigned to cover the capitol and Kentucky politics around that time period, and Farmer was seen as a serious threat to run for Governor in 2011. Instead he took the number two slot on the GOP slate with then Senate President David Williams; a move I considered brilliant on Williams’ part because of the status Farmer had around the Commonwealth.
But trouble was brewing. Farmer’s marriage broke up amid ugly accusations from both sides. Then Richie declined to take part in mandated furloughs for state workers due to budget cuts. He claimed he did not believe in furloughs and would not enact them. He also declined to turn back part of his own salary to reflect his own furlough. Office-holders are technically exempt, but every other statewide officer including the Governor wrote checks kicking back some salary to the Kentucky General Fund. Not illegal for him to decline that action, but not a great move for a politician. After the GOP ticket lost handily to Democrat Steve Beshear, the roof began to cave in on Farmer. A devastating audit showed massive wrongdoing and ethics violations, leading to 42 seperate ethics charges against Farmer. The most against any individual in history.

After his term expired, Farmer wasn’t heard from very much, until the ethics probe. Even then, I heard many people saying they would never prove anything. Most believed Farmer was doing what all politicians do, but got caught. Clearly Farmer had a LOT of political capital and goodwill remaining even then. BUT–the bottom finally dropped out when the news broke that Richie Farmer had applied for unemployment benefits. Sorry, but as most anyone knows elected officials cannot claim benefits after leaving office. That one left a lot of people cold, including me. Farmer was last heard from selling cars in Manchester.

If these charges manage to get to trial, I suspect the entire state will be on the edge of their seats awaiting the outcome. Just like they used to when Richie played ball. But alas, I suspect we’ll see a plea agreement, with Farmer paying hefty fines, and possibly spending time in a Federal Prison. One of those minimum security places. Maybe he can play basketball and become a legend again.