Federal officials confirm Patton is under investigation

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky's two U.S. attorneys and the FBI Monday confirmed a federal investigation into whether Gov. Paul Patton abused his power in the course of an affair with the owner of a state-regulated nursing home.

Patton, while admitting the affair, again denied doing anything illegal. "The issue is: Have I abused my position? I am confident of the outcome of that," Patton told reporters during a brief, ceremonial appearance in the Capitol.

Patton said he was unaware of investigators seeking information from his office thus far.

Patton is being sued for sexual harassment by Tina Conner, who claims her nursing home in Clinton was driven into bankruptcy by state regulators after she broke off a two-year relationship with Patton.

While not ruling out a settlement, Patton said no offer has been made. He also said a settlement would not affect the investigation, which federal authorities are conducting jointly with Kentucky Attorney General Ben Chandler.

"That's a legal issue that I couldn't stop and she couldn't stop," Patton said. "That investigation will proceed regardless of what I may do with her, and it should, and certainly I want it to."

Confirmation of federal involvement in the investigation came in a brief statement issued jointly by U.S. Attorneys Steve Pence and Gregory Van Tatenhove and by Steve Tidwell, the FBI's top special agent in Kentucky.

Kentucky is divided into two federal districts, eastern and western. Both would be involved because Conner's nursing home, Birchtree Healthcare, is in Hickman County in far western Kentucky and Frankfort, the capital, is in the eastern district.

In addition to the attorney general and federal authorities, the Executive Branch Ethics Commission last week launched an investigation into whether Patton allowed his personal behavior and public responsibility to conflict. The ethics commission has no criminal jurisdiction, however.

Conner's attorney, Fred Radolovich, declined to speak to a reporter Monday.