Company calls for ethics review ahead of Cave City data center zoning discussion
The company said its “only goal is to help ensure that the process remains impartial and free from any concerns that could later call the validity or fairness of the proceedings into question.”
CAVE CITY, Ky. — Kentucky Industrial Alliance LLC is asking Cave City officials to review potential ethics and disclosure concerns tied to ongoing discussions surrounding proposed data center text amendments and regulatory changes.
The company is managed and controlled by Michael D. Jones, Jared W. Whitworth and Joseph R. Crist, according to state records.
In a letter sent Monday to Cave City Attorney Bobby Richardson and copied to city officials and planning and zoning representatives, the company said the request was being made “in the interest of transparency and protecting the integrity of the process for all parties involved.”
Brennan Crain
The letter asks whether any council members, zoning officials, speakers or participants involved in the proceedings may have “employment relationships, business relationships, financial relationships, or other affiliations connected to businesses, landowners, or property interests” that could be impacted by the proposed amendments.
Kentucky Industrial Alliance also requested clarification on whether any disclosure, abstention or recusal measures “may be appropriate under the City of Cave City Code of Ethics or applicable Kentucky standards.”
KIA Cave City Meeting by brennan.crain
The company further raised concerns about possible financial relationships involving lending institutions, public officials and guest speakers participating in the proceedings.
“We also respectfully ask whether any guest speakers or participants involved in these proceedings maintain lending, financing, or other financial relationships connected to properties located within areas that could potentially be impacted by the proposed regulations,” the letter said.
The letter additionally asks whether participants with direct or indirect financial interests connected to affected properties or development interests should “voluntarily disclose those relationships prior to providing testimony or public comment.”
The request comes as Cave City Council member Leticia Cline sent an email announcing she was severing ties with the Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum and affiliated operations connected to the management of Kentucky Industrial Alliance.
“Effective immediately, I am terminating any and all involvement or association related to the Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum and any affiliated operations,” Cline wrote in the email.
Crist is named as an organizer of MCWM LLC, the parent organization of Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum, according to state records.
Cline also said, “I request to be removed immediately from all business bank accounts, financial accounts, authorizations, operational access, permissions, and any other formal or informal affiliations connected to these operations.”
In the statement, Cline said she had “never received compensation, payment, salary, or contractual consideration related to this involvement” and did not maintain “any ownership interest.”
She added that all keys, passwords and account information in her possession had been left at the museum and asked that the email be considered her “formal written notice” ending all ties effective immediately.
Brennan Crain
Kentucky Industrial Alliance said its letter was not intended to accuse anyone of misconduct.
“This letter is not intended to suggest wrongdoing or improper conduct by any individual,” the company wrote. “Rather, given that the proposed amendments and regulations could potentially affect future land use, development opportunities, property interests, and related financial matters within the community, we believe it is important to ensure that any potential appearance concerns are addressed proactively and transparently.”
The company said its “only goal is to help ensure that the process remains impartial and free from any concerns that could later call the validity or fairness of the proceedings into question.”
The letter concludes by requesting the matters be reviewed “prior to any present, final or future action or proceedings concerning the proposed amendments.”
