FRANKFORT, Ky. (WHAS11) – More information is now surfacing on the firing on Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton’s top aide last month.
Governor Matt Bevin’s chief of staff came forward, saying he authorized the termination of Adrienne Southworth.
Blake Brickman said in a statement that Southworth repeatedly demonstrated poor judgement.
Brickman also said the governor’s office usually doesn’t comment on personnel matters but wanted to “set the record straight.”
After the firing, Hampton praised her aide’s work in a tweet and asked for prayers in her fight against “dark forces.”
On Tuesday, June 18, Hampton said, "Brickman has clearly overstepped his boundaries."
She went on to say the people of Kentucky should be worried that an unelected official seems to have power over her office.
"I am perplexed by the vacuous decision to deprive an active, productive Lieutenant Governor of her staff. But after watching politics for over 45 years, I am not surprised by the false allegations and character attacks which have ensued," Hampton said.
The following is Hampton's full statement:
"Blake Brickman, Governor Matt Bevin's Chief of Staff, has admitted he is responsible for the unauthorized personnel action terminating employment of Adrienne Southworth, my Deputy Chief of Staff. Brickman has clearly overstepped his boundaries. Every Kentuckian should be concerned that an unelected bureaucrat appears to have power over the office of the Lieutenant Governor, a constitutional officer duly elected by the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I am perplexed by the vacuous decision to deprive an active, productive Lieutenant Governor of her staff. But after watching politics for over 45 years, I am not surprised by the false allegations and character attacks which have ensued.
To date, pertinent parties in the Finance/Administration and Personnel cabinets have not responded to my requests to reinstate Ms. Southworth, provide details of the termination order, and supply the forms and procedures necessary to hire. In doing so, they have denied me the privilege every other constitutional officer possesses – control of my own team.
Furthermore, Ms. Southworth's personnel case, and that of my Chief of Staff Steve Knipper, were handled poorly according to standard Human Resource practices. Unlike the private sector where direct supervisors are involved in personnel actions, I was not consulted in either action.
One reason I hired Ms. Southworth as my Deputy Chief of Staff is her innate ability to quickly read and understand bills. She actually enjoys the legislative process and was my eyes and ears in that arena. As my proxy on the Criminal Justice Policy Assessment Council, a working group convened to improve Kentucky's criminal justice system, Ms. Southworth met with legislators and other stakeholders to research proposed reform bills and help determine their scope and viability. Although we both asked several questions on this complex issue, questions do not imply endorsement or advocation.
My office has also helped several constituents navigate the labyrinth of state government, another area where Adrienne excels. Kentuckians have turned to my office for assistance because we have a reputation for offering a helping hand and listening ear. Assistance does not imply endorsement or advocation.
I chose to be an active, engaged Lieutenant Governor despite few duties required. For the entirety of my term I focused on helping and inspiring Kentucky's youth. The Lt. Governor's Entrepreneurship Challenge I started has awarded almost $250,000 in scholarships. The Lt. Governor's STEM Challenge introduces middle school girls to professional women who work in science, technology, engineering and math careers. I inspired tens of thousands of Kentucky kids with my personal story of rising from poverty, visiting almost 200 schools and institutions. I started a self-directed literacy program. And instead of easing up in this final year of my term, I am currently tackling the heartbreaking issue of youth suicide.
My talented team played key roles on all these projects and more, making it possible for me to be the responsive Lieutenant Governor Kentucky deserves. We came to Frankfort to be public servants, not partisan hacks, and our accomplishments speak for themselves.
I will serve the remaining months of my term as I began it: joyful, faithful, humble. Ms. Southworth will continue to assist me, tracking her time manually until she is back in the personnel system. I am pursuing action to reinstate my staff soon.
Special thanks to the many Prayer Warriors praying on my behalf. Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped.”
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