The embattled former director of a school for at-risk youth remains in the race for the Kentucky House of Representatives.
John Wayne Smith of Warren County was convicted in federal court last month. Smith is a Democrat from Smiths Grove who is challenging Brownsville Republican incumbent Michael Meredith.
Smith was found guilty of failing to report allegations that two teenage girls had been sexually abused by another staff member at the Bluegrass Challenge Academy where he served as the director. The Fort Knox-based academy is a quasi-military school for students at-risk of not finishing high school.
Smith will be sentenced May 19 and faces up to a year in prison and fines. In an email to WKU Public Radio Wednesday, Smith said at this time, he remains in the contest. House Republican leaders have called on him to exit the race before his sentencing.