A former government clerk has filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging a widespread bribery scheme was operating within a licensing center in Louisville, Kentucky.
The complaint, initiated by Melissa Moorman, claims her former coworkers routinely accepted $200 cash payments from undocumented immigrants in exchange for official driver’s licenses.
According to the lawsuit, this illicit activity occurred multiple times per day for a minimum of two years.
Moorman alleges that employees involved in the scheme would use her personal login credentials without consent to process the fraudulent credentials. The process also involved using falsified documents to complete the transactions.
This system allowed applicants to bypass mandatory security measures, including required driving tests and background checks with Homeland Security.
State Launches Investigation, Revokes Nearly 2,000 Credentials
In response to the serious allegations, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has confirmed an active and ongoing investigation is underway.
The state agency is collaborating with both the Kentucky State Police and U.S. Attorneys to examine the full scope of the alleged misconduct.
As a direct result of the probe, the KYTC has already invalidated 1,985 credentials believed to have been issued improperly through the scheme.
The investigation was initially raised under former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and is now being overseen by the office of the incumbent, Russell Coleman.
Former Employee Alleges Retaliation After Reporting Scheme
A central claim in Moorman’s lawsuit is that she was unjustly fired for bringing the illegal operation to the attention of her superiors.
She states her termination at the end of last year was a direct act of retaliation for exposing the “under the table” payments and fraudulent activities.
The lawsuit asserts that Moorman and other workers were dismissed after she reported her coworkers for their alleged roles in the bribery ring.
