A former state mine inspector plans to plead guilty to bribery charges in federal court next week.
Kelly Shortridge was indicted in October, along with former Democratic legislator Keith Hall. Federal prosecutors allege that Hall paid Shortridge $46,000 over a five year period to ignore violations at a Pikeville mine Hall owned.
Shortridge is also accused of attempting to extort Hall; he allegedly told Hall that if he didn’t pay him owed money he’d get another inspector to cite Hall’s mine for serious violations. In documents filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Shortridge’s attorney indicated he will enter a plea deal to one count of bribery.
The charge could bring up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Shortridge is scheduled to appear in court in Lexington next Wednesday.
