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In 2003, Ernie Fletcher became the first Republican to win the Kentucky governorship since 1967. At this rate, he might be the last one for a while.

Earlier this year, documents, including notes and emails, came to light that showed Fletcher's hiring decisions were based almost exclusively on partisanship and not individual qualifications — you got a job in state government if you're a Republican, whether you deserved it or not.

Attorney General Greg Stumbo (D) investigated, believing that the practices violated state employment laws. Last month, a grand jury came to the same conclusion. Among those indicted this week were Fletcher's deputy chief of staff, an executive director in Fletcher's Transportation Cabinet, and Fletcher's transportation administrative services commissioner. The charges range from violating applicants' civil rights, to political discrimination, to multiple counts of criminal conspiracy.

Yesterday, in response to the growing scandal, Fletcher issued sweeping pardons for all of his cohorts, before formal criminal charges could be brought against them.

On the eve of an appearance before a grand jury investigating his administration's hiring practices, Gov. Ernie Fletcher granted a blanket pardon on Monday night to curren"