Commonwealth Attorney Arrested and Charged with Federal Honest Services Wire Fraud

The Commonwealth’s Attorney, for the 33rd Judicial Circuit of Kentucky, Scott Blair, 51, of Hazard, Ky., was charged with committing honest services wire fraud, via a federal criminal complaint on Friday.

The criminal complaint alleges that, from April 2020 to March 2024, while serving as the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney for Perry County, Blair used his position of public trust and authority to assist various individuals who were facing criminal charges in Perry County. The complaint further alleges there are numerous instances in which Blair requested something of value, including sexual favors and methamphetamine, from multiple individuals, in exchange for taking actions in his official capacity to help those individuals.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Russell Coleman, Attorney General of Kentucky; and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the charges.

The investigation preceding the complaint was conducted by the FBI, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States.

Blair’s initial appearance is currently scheduled for Monday at 2:45 p.m.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are accusations only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.