House committee to file impeachment charges against Central Kentucky judge

FRANKFORT — A Kentucky House committee has decided to file charges of impeachment against a sitting Fayette County judge, days after she and a local prosecutor testified before the committee. 

House Impeachment Committee Chair Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, said, following a Wednesday afternoon meeting mostly held in private, that the committee would file a resolution with articles of impeachment against Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Goodman. The resolution was online later that evening. 

On Monday, Goodman and her attorneys refuted claims made against her in a petition filed by former Republican state Rep. Killian Timoney. She said that Timoney has never appeared before her in court to her knowledge.

Goodman also refuted claims by Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird of bias against prosecutors and said she was holding the commonwealth’s attorney’s office accountable. The judge pointed to two cases when people who had been in jail for about a year had their charges dismissed after evidence was heard in court. 

“I am not biased towards the commonwealth, but what I do demand of the commonwealth is that she represents citizens,” Goodman said. “But all Kentuckians are citizens. It is not about convictions. It is about justice.” 

Baird said that she was asked by the committee to give comments on Goodman’s conduct. In addition to testifying Monday, she sent the committee a letter and hundreds of pages of evidence. During the meeting, she said her office tells victims and families of victims to expect Goodman will not rule in their favor before a proceeding. She also said she was unaware that Timoney was going to file his petition. 

“Yes, it’s uncomfortable, but I came because I thought it needed to be done,” Baird said. “I am the commonwealth. I represent the citizens, and if I don’t think that the citizens are being served correctly, then I think I need to speak up.” 

Goodman had attempted to block the impeachment petition by filing a lawsuit in Franklin Circuit Court seeking its dismissal. Instead, Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd held a hearing Tuesday and the case is still pending. 

Timoney, a Fayette County Public Schools employee, is seeking reelection in the 45th House District after losing a Republican primary in 2024. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Adam Moore.

An attorney for Goodman did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday.

A link to the impeachment resolution was added to this story.