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Frankfort Board of Ethics ends multiple inquiries and withdraws appeal
Summary
On April 7, 2026 the Frankfort Board of Ethics voted unanimously to terminate several inquiries, declare a March 24 complaint frivolous, and withdraw the board’s appeal in Frankfort Board of Ethics v. Wilkerson after a series of closed sessions under Kentucky open-records law.
The Frankfort Board of Ethics voted unanimously on April 7 to end several ongoing inquiries and to withdraw an appeal in a separate case, concluding its meeting after multiple closed sessions.
The actions matter because they close disciplinary and litigation tracks the board had been pursuing: the board formally found one complaint frivolous, withdrew an active appeal, and terminated an investigation that had involved the city’s fleet sales and the conduct of Chief of Police Derrick Napier.
Martin "Buddy" Bennett, a board member, moved "to make a determination that the ethics complaint of Wayne Stacy dated March 24, 2026 is frivolous and comprised of either factual allegations outside the jurisdiction of the Board or allegations without a minimal factual basis to constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics and that we immediately terminate the inquiry pursuant to Code Section 39.17(D)." Delvin Azofeifa seconded the motion; Bennett, Azofeifa, James Hale (chair) and Tom Midkiff voted in favor, and the motion passed. The complaint referenced Wayne Stacy and was dated March 24, 2026.
At 6:25 p.m. the board voted to "withdraw the appeal in regard to Frankfort Board of Ethics vs. Wilkerson and discontinue all pursuits in this matter." The motion was made by Delvin Azofeifa and seconded by Bennett; the vote was unanimous.
Shortly after returning from a second personnel closed session, the board voted at 6:33 p.m. to "terminate any and all of the Board’s investigation into ethics violations related to improprieties regarding fleet sales and Chief of Police Derrick Napier." The motion was moved by Delvin Azofeifa, seconded by Martin "Buddy" Bennett, and passed unanimously.
The meeting record shows the board used closed sessions under Kentucky law (KRS 61.810) and under City of Frankfort Ordinance Section 39.17 for a confidential preliminary inquiry. The agenda and motions cite KRS 61.810(1)(f) (personnel), KRS 61.810(1)(j) (quasi-judicial deliberations) and KRS 61.810(1)(c) (litigation). The minutes record no public notes from the closed sessions.
James Hale, chair of the board, called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and the board adjourned at 6:38 p.m. The minutes list the next regular meeting as Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
No public comments or direct quotes from people outside the board appear in the published minutes. The record shows Mary Nishimuta was absent for the meeting.
