As reported by the Courier-Journal from Frankfort, K.Y., a former politician, facing police investigations for possible wrongdoings while in office, is requesting that his child support payments be lessened as he has failed to find employment.
Richie Farmer, who held office as the Kentucky Agricultural Commissioner, attended Franklin Circuit Court with the aid of a walker as he is recovering from a hip replacement surgery.
The last time Farmer was seen in public was when the Agriculture Department was audited this past April. The audit has since caused both legal and ethics investigations into Farmer's dealings.
Farmer was ordered to pay his former wife $1,227 a month in child support. Farmer testified that he paid the amount up through July. He claimed that his surgery, lack of employment and poor job prospects have caused him to seek a lesser financial obligation.
Farmer asked that for the months August through October, the time he allegedly needs to recuperate from his hip surgery, be the time that his monthly obligation is reduced.
Brian Logan is the attorney representing Farmer's ex-wife. Logan questioned Farmer about his job search. Farmer testified that since his term expired he has been interviewed by six employers and turned down by each due to the investigations that are currently underway against him.
Farmer told the court, "Obviously, with everything that has been in the media, it is not a very lucrative opportunity for me to be a spokesperson."
Logan argued that it was "voluntary unemployment" that kept Farmer from meeting his obligations and that if Farmer were to seek jobs in areas he has worked before – insurance, financial planning or sports marketing – he could obtain a position.
Logan said, "He is memorialized in the rafters of Rupp Arena. He can go out and find a job."
The Farmers divorced in July of 2011. At that time Farmer was running for lieutenant governor.
Farmer was ordered to pay support for this three children based on an annual salary he earned as the Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner – $110,000. Farmer currently claims to earn $450 a month from a rental property, and the rest of his income he has borrowed from his parents just to meet his bills.
Logan questioned Farmer about income from the sales of basketball or Kentucky Derby tickets – to which Farmer said that he only got the money back that he had spent.
Neither Farmer nor his ex-wife chose to comment following the hearing.
In his investigation of the Agriculture Department, auditor Adam Edelen discovered that Farmer had created "a toxic culture of entitlement and self-dealing."
The audit has since been handed over to the attorney general's office, the Executive Branch Ethics Commission and the state Personnel Board.
Farmer's home was put up for auction as the funds were needed due to a foreclosure lawsuit filed against him.
If you are seeking a change in your child support or alimony payments, due to loss of employment or other hardships, contact a family law attorney for help right away! The longer you delay, the more your debts increase.