After reviewing allegations against Jefferson County Coroner Ronald Holmes, the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office has decided not to present a case against him to a grand jury.
Stephen Tedder, a spokesman for the attorney's office, declined tonight to discuss the reasons why the case was being dropped.
The Jefferson County Attorney's Office, which also could consider charges, currently is not looking at the case, according to Bill Patteson, a spokesman.
Allegations against Holmes lodged in two lawsuits — one by a former deputy coroner and the other by a current deputy coroner — included that he misused money raised for a program to provide markers for graves of indigents. The lawsuits claim Holmes used portions of that money for himself.The public integrity unit of Louisville Metro Police completed its investigation into the allegations against Holmes after turning its findings over to prosecutors, said police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley.Holmes, who has repeatedly declined to talk with The Courier-Journal about the lawsuits or the investigation, did not return a phone call seeking a comment.In September, Jesse Paulley filed a lawsuit saying he was fired as a deputy coroner in August because he was cooperating in a police investigation into alleged misdeeds by Holmes.
Paulley's lawsuit mirrors allegations made by Jack Arnold, another deputy coroner who still works in Holmes' office but says his job has repeatedly been threatened because he came forward with several allegations.
Both Paulley and Arnold allege that Holmes directed deputy coroners to seize all prescription medications at investigation scenes and to bring the medication directly to Holmes for storage in his office.
The allegations also claim that Holmes illegally collected campaign funds, including demanding that his deputies donate or face losing their jobs.
In September, Jesse Paulley filed a lawsuit saying he was fired as a deputy coroner in August because he was cooperating in a police investigation into alleged misdeeds by Holmes.
Paulley's lawsuit mirrors allegations made by Jack Arnold, another deputy coroner who still works in Holmes' office but says his job has repeatedly been threatened because he came forward with several allegations.
Both Paulley and Arnold allege that Holmes directed deputy coroners to seize all prescription medications at investigation scenes and to bring the medication directly to Holmes for storage in his office.
The allegations also claim that Holmes illegally collected campaign funds, including demanding that his deputies donate or face losing their jobs.