Kentucky on the hook for fees and costs for Kim Davis lawsuit

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — (WHAS11)-The Kentucky county clerk who made headlines around the world in 2015 after refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses will not have to pay for the lawsuits against her.

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court decision Aug.23.

Their ruling says that $224,000 in attorney's fees and costs will be paid to the couples refused marriage licenses by Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis.

The state of Kentucky will be responsible for paying the award. Governor Matt Bevin had argued that Davis should pay up.

RELATED: Kim Davis, the clerk jailed over marriage licenses, loses re-election bid

Davis refused to issue marriage licenses, starting in 2015 to any eligible couples after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.

The ACLU of Kentucky filed a lawsuit on behalf of four Rowan County couples fighting that decision.

In 2018, Davis, a Republican, was voted out of office. She lost by 700 votes to democrat Elwood Caudill Jr in the race for Rowan County Clerk.

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Clerk jailed for refusing marriage licenses writes book

 Anti-gay-marriage clerk to seek re-election in Rowan County, Ky.

 Judge grants more than $224K in fees, costs in lawsuit against Ky. County Clerk Kim Davis

 Lawsuit nixed against Kentucky clerk who fought gay marriage

 Appeals court dismisses Kim Davis' lawsuit against Kentucky

 Gov. Bevin removes names of clerks from marriage licenses

 Couple who sued Kentucky clerk Kim Davis marry

 Emails reveal Kim Davis' experience as "chaotic" and a "firestorm"

 Clerk Kim Davis switching parties to become a Republican

 Kim Davis blames Gov. Beshear for legal woes

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