Kentucky's Attorney General Joins Trump Administration to Keep Politics Out of Food Benefits Program

Promote the integrity of SNAP in Kentucky

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today that he joined the Trump Administration to promote the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Kentucky.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sued the Beshear Administration for refusing to report critical data about potential waste, fraud and abuse. Instead of providing information to show how they protected Kentucky taxpayers, the Beshear Administration ran to a California judge in an attempt to block the USDA’s lawful request. 

In a brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, General Coleman slams the Governor’s attempt to circumvent the law and his failure to be transparent with Kentuckians about the integrity of the SNAP program.

“The Governor is going to great lengths – all the way to California in fact – to avoid showing whether there is waste, fraud or abuse in Kentucky’s SNAP program,” said Attorney General Coleman. “Instead of trying to evade accountability in Kentucky courts, the Governor should be transparent with Kentuckians about these important benefits. If there is no fraud in the system, why wouldn’t he want to make that clear?”

Attorney General Coleman’s brief underscores the vital importance of SNAP benefits for Kentuckians. Every month, more than 272,000 Kentucky households receive a total of $88 million in SNAP benefits, including 227,605 children and 92,446 seniors. The program is a critical safety net to ensure Kentuckians do not go hungry. Protecting the program’s integrity – so the benefits actually go to those who need them – is of utmost importance.

“SNAP benefits should only go to vulnerable Kentuckians who need them most,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell. “Thanks to Attorney General Russell Coleman for putting politics aside and ensuring fraudsters are not stealing food assistance from hungry children.”

Solicitor General Matt Kuhn and Principal Deputy Solicitor General Jack Heyburn prepared the brief on behalf of the Commonwealth.

Read the brief.