Kentucky governor admits relationship

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Gov. Paul Patton on Friday tearfully admitted to having an "inappropriate personal relationship" with a woman who is suing him for sexual harassment. He denied he used his influence to assist or damage her business, a nursing home, as she has alleged.

"I have now apologized to the people of Kentucky and asked for your forgiveness," the governor said. "I do believe that now I am on the right path.

"It's not easy for me to discuss private failures in a public forum, but I do so because I want to be honest with the people of Kentucky and try to earn their trust and respect again."

Patton had denied the relationship Wednesday at a news conference with his wife of 25 years, Judi.

The governor said Friday he had worried about the effect the public disclosure would have on his family and realizes the denial was a mistake.

Tina Conner alleged that she had a two-year affair with Patton and that the governor turned state inspectors loose on her nursing home in western Kentucky after she ended the relationship.

Patton denied it.

"Under no circumstances have I or anyone under my direct control tried to punish Mrs. Conner," he said. "I hope she will go forward with her life as I am going to try to go forward with mine."

Patton, 65, a Democrat and chairman of the National Governors Association, is in his second term and cannot seek re-election. He has been considered a candidate to challenge first-term Republican Sen. Jim Bunning in 2004.

Conner said she met Patton for sex numerous times in 1997 through 1999. She said Patton continued to call her and said she broke off the relationship in October 2001 and found state regulators at her nursing home in Clinton two months later.

The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported Friday that hundreds of calls had been made from the governor's office to Conner's telephones.

Conner's lawsuit, filed Wednesday, alleges Patton provided extraordinary state assistance to her and her business because of the sexual relationship.

Connor's Birchtree Healthcare has filed for bankruptcy and is the subject of a foreclosure suit.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright