Perry County prosecutor faces federal charges for allegedly trading favors for sex, drugs

A Kentucky prosecutor, who allegedly helped criminal defendants in exchange for sexual favors and methamphetamine, is facing federal wire fraud charges.

Perry County commonwealth’s attorney Scott Blair, 51, of Hazard, was charged with committing honest services wire fraud in a federal criminal complaint Friday, according to a release from the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Federal law defines honest services wire fraud as a scheme or artifice to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services.”

The complaint, according to the release, alleges that from April 2020 to March 2024 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.

The release says the charges were jointly announced by Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, special agent in charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., commissioner of the Kentucky State Police.

The investigation preceding the complaint was conducted by the FBI, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and KSP, says the release. .

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

Coleman, the Kentucky attorney general, issued a statement Friday calling on Blair to resign.