Ky. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 121
Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990 (2026)

Penalties

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Any corporation or any officer, agent, attorney, or employee of a corporation, who knowingly violates any of the provisions of KRS 121.025, shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), and, in the case of individuals, be guilty of a Class D felony. (2) Any corporation that knowingly violates any of the provisions of KRS 121.035(1) or KRS 121.310(2) shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each offense, and upon conviction its charter shall be forfeited or its authority to do business revoked. (3) Any person who knowingly violates any of the provisions of KRS 121.035(2), 121.045, 121.055, 121.150 to 121.230, 121.310(1), or 121.320 shall, for each offense, be guilty of a Class D felony. Violations of KRS 121.150 to 121.230 shall include, but shall not be limited to, any of the following acts or omissions: (a) Failure to make required reports or to file reports at times specified; (b) Making any false statement or report; (c) Giving money under a fictitious name; or (d) Making any communication in violation of KRS 121.190(1). (4) The nomination for, or election to, an office of any candidate or slate of candidates who knowingly violates any provision of KRS 121.150 to 121.220, or whose campaign treasurer knowingly violates any provision of KRS 121.150 to 121.220, with the knowledge of that candidate or slate of candidates, shall be void, and, upon a final judicial determination of guilt, the office shall be declared vacant and the officeholder shall forfeit all benefits which he would have been entitled to receive had he continued to serve, and the office or candidacy shall be filled as provided by law for the filling of a vacancy. An action to declare a vacancy under this subsection may be brought by the registry, the Attorney General, any candidate or slate of candidates for the office sought to be declared vacant, or any qualified voter. (5) The Attorney General, Commonwealth's attorney, the registry, or any qualified voter may sue for injunctive relief to compel compliance with the provisions of KRS 121.056 and KRS 121.120 to 121.230. (6) The Commonwealth's attorney or county attorney for the county in which the candidate or slated candidates reside shall be the chief prosecutor upon receipt of a written request from the registry and shall prosecute any violator under this chapter. In the event he fails or refuses to prosecute a violator, upon written request from the registry, the Attorney General shall appoint a special prosecutor with full authority to carry out the provisions of this section. (7) Any officeholder who knowingly violates the provisions of KRS 121.150(12) shall, upon a final judicial determination of guilt, have his office declared vacant and shall forfeit all benefits which he would have been entitled to receive had he continued to serve. (8) Any Governor or any gubernatorial appointee who knowingly appoints, approves the appointment, or participates in the appointing of any person to any appointive state office or position in violation of KRS 121.056(1) shall be guilty of a Class D felony and, upon a final judicial determination of guilt, have his office declared vacant and shall forfeit all benefits which he would have been entitled to receive had he continued to serve. (9) Any person who knowingly receives an appointment to any appointive state office or position in violation of KRS 121.056(1) shall be guilty of a Class D felony and, upon a final judicial determination of guilt, have his office declared vacant, forfeit all benefits which he would have been entitled to receive, and shall be ineligible to receive an appointment to a state office or position for a period of five (5) years from the date of a final judicial determination of guilt. (10) Any elected or appointed state officeholder who knowingly awards or participates in the awarding of a contract with the Commonwealth of Kentucky to a person or entity in violation of KRS 121.056(2) shall be guilty of a Class D felony and, upon a final judicial determination of guilt, have his office declared vacant and shall forfeit all benefits which he would have been entitled to receive had he continued to serve. (11) Any person or entity who knowingly receives a contract with the Commonwealth of Kentucky in violation of KRS 121.056(2) shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Upon conviction, the contract shall be canceled, and the person or entity convicted shall be ineligible to receive a contract with the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a period of five (5) years from the date of a final judicial determination of guilt. (12) Any person who knowingly violates any of the provisions of KRS 121.056(3) shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (13) Any person who knowingly fails to pay a civil penalty, assessed by the registry or a judicial panel pursuant to KRS 121.140 for violation of campaign finance laws, shall be disqualified from filing for public office until such penalty is paid or the registry rules that settlement has otherwise been made. (14) Any elected official who knowingly awards or participates in the awarding of a nonbid contract or whose appointee knowingly awards or participates in the awarding of a nonbid contract in violation of KRS 121.330(1) shall be guilty of a Class D felony and, upon a final judicial determination of guilt, have his office declared vacant and shall forfeit all benefits which he would have been entitled to receive had he continued to serve. (15) Any entity who knowingly receives a nonbid contract with a governing authority in violation of KRS 121.330(2) shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Upon conviction, the nonbid contract shall be canceled, and the entity convicted shall be ineligible to receive a nonbid contract with a governing authority for a period of five (5) years from the date of final judicial determination of guilt. (16) Any elected official who knowingly awards or participates in awarding of a nonbid contract, lease, or appointment to an office or board or whose appointee knowingly awards or participates in the awarding of a nonbid contract, lease, or appointment to an office or board in violation of KRS 121.330(3) shall be guilty of a Class D felony and, upon a final judicial determination of guilt, have his office declared vacant and shall forfeit all benefits which he would have been entitled to receive had he continued to serve. (17) (a) Any fundraiser who knowingly receives a nonbid contract, lease, or appointment to an office or board or any entity in which he has an interest who knowingly receives a nonbid contract or lease in violation of KRS 121.330(4) shall be guilty of a Class D felony; (b) Any immediate family member, employer, or employee of a fundraiser who knowingly receives a nonbid contract, lease, or appointment to an office or board in violation of KRS 121.330(4) shall be guilty of a Class D felony; and (c) Upon conviction, the nonbid contract, lease, or appointment shall be canceled, and the person or entity convicted shall be ineligible to receive a nonbid contract, lease, or appointment with a governing authority for a period of five (5) years from the date of a final judicial determination of guilt. (18) Any appointed or elected state office holder or any other person who knowingly violates the provisions of KRS 121.120(5) shall be guilty of a Class D felony. In the event a candidate has assumed office, upon a final judicial determination of guilt, his office shall be declared vacant and he shall forfeit all benefits which he would have been entitled to receive had he continued to serve. (19) Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of KRS 121.065(1) shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (20) Any candidate, slate of candidates, or committee that fails to comply with requests from the registry for records necessary to conduct audits pursuant to KRS 121.120 and 121.230 within ninety (90) days after the registry's request shall, unless the failure is due to reasonable cause as defined in KRS 121.015(19), be fined not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and no more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each full month of noncompliance. The fine shall begin on the first day of the month beginning after the expiration of the ninety (90) days. Effective: July 15, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 107, sec. 13, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 105, sec. 10, effective March 16, 2005. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 153, sec. 9, effective July 15, 1996. -- Repealed and reenacted by 1994 Ky. Acts. ch. 279, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994; and amended ch. 458, sec. 14, effective July 15, 1994. – Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 288, sec. 30, effective July 14, 1992; and ch. 463, sec. 14, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 3, effective 1991; and ch. 341, sec. 48, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 10, effective July 15, 1986; and ch. 168, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 292, sec. 12, effective July 15, 1980. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, secs. 195 and 196. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/14/92). This section was amended by 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 288, sec. 30, and ch. 463, sec. 14, which appear to be in conflict. Those changes made by ch. 463 which are purely technical to standardize penalties into Penal Code format, are revisory in nature, and the substantive changes made by ch. 288 prevail by virtue of KRS 7.123(1). Otherwise, the changes of ch. 463 control pursuant to KRS 446.250.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1978–2024 · leading case: Democratic Party of Kentucky v. Graham, 976 S.W.2d 423 (Ky. 1998).
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Democratic Party of Kentucky v. Graham, 976 S.W.2d 423 (Ky. 1998). · cites it 32× “Further, because the criminal punishments of KRS 121.990 are essentially and inseparably connected to, contingent upon, and thus not *432 severable from this three-step statutory enforcement scheme, the penalties of KRS 121.”
Martin v. Commonwealth, 96 S.W.3d 38 (Ky. 2003). · cites it 10× “150, and KRS 121.990, which apply to all election campaigns, not just those that are publicly funded.”
Wilkinson v. Jones, 876 F. Supp. 916 (W.D. Ky. 1995). · cites it 5× “KRS 121.990(3) states that knowing violation of 121.”
Protect My Check, Inc. v. Dilger, 176 F. Supp. 3d 685 (E.D. Ky. 2016). · cites it 2× “) Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990. A related implementing statute, KRS 121.”
State v. Marshall, 633 P.2d 227 (Alaska 1981). “, Ky.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 121.990(10) (Baldwin Supp.”
Kentucky Registry of Election Fin. v. Louisville Bar Ass'n, 579 S.W.2d 622 (Ky. Ct. App. 1979). · cites it 2× “KRS 121.990 provides severe penalties and sanctions upon corporations and their officers who violate KRS 121.”
Kentucky Registry of Election Fin. v. Jordan, 583 S.W.2d 90 (Ky. Ct. App. 1979). · cites it 6× “Counsel for the Registry frankly admits that the Registry cannot in good faith justify criminal proceedings against Plaintiff under KRS 121.990. The Lawrence Circuit Court concluded: The salutary purposes of the Act were not affected.”
Lee v. Commonwealth, 565 S.W.2d 634 (Ky. Ct. App. 1978). “The penalties for a violation of KRS 121.990 are severe and can result in the voiding of an election.”
Ellis v. Meeks, 957 S.W.2d 213 (Ky. 1997). “Violations of that law are now punishable as a Class A misdemeanor providing for a maximum of 12 months in prison and a $500 fine.”
Newsome v. Hall, 169 S.W.3d 66 (Ky. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “KRS 121.990(4) would appear to offer the remedy of removal for violations of KRS 121.”
Martin v. Kentucky Registry of Election Fin. (E.D. Ky. 2024). “Governor of Kentucky, while they were given and accepted millions of dollars worth of airtime by at least 4 prominent media stations in Louisville & Lexington.”
Boone Cnty. Repub. Party Exec. Comm. v. Wallace (E.D. Ky. 2024). “120(4)(n); KRS 121.990. The Court finds that these serious potential consequences contribute to a finding of injury in fact.”
Show all 13 citing cases →
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(1) — 2 cases
Democratic Party of Kentucky v. Graham, 976 S.W.2d 423 (Ky. 1998). “Further, because the criminal punishments of KRS 121.990 are essentially and inseparably connected to, contingent upon, and thus not *432 severable from this three-step statutory enforcement scheme, the penalties of KRS 121.”
Martin v. Kentucky Registry of Election Fin. (E.D. Ky. 2024). “Governor of Kentucky, while they were given and accepted millions of dollars worth of airtime by at least 4 prominent media stations in Louisville & Lexington.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(10) — 2 cases
State v. Marshall, 633 P.2d 227 (Alaska 1981). “, Ky.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 121.990(10) (Baldwin Supp.”
Kentucky Registry of Election Fin. v. Jordan, 583 S.W.2d 90 (Ky. Ct. App. 1979). “Counsel for the Registry frankly admits that the Registry cannot in good faith justify criminal proceedings against Plaintiff under KRS 121.990. The Lawrence Circuit Court concluded: The salutary purposes of the Act were not affected.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(13) — 1 case
Democratic Party of Kentucky v. Graham, 976 S.W.2d 423 (Ky. 1998). “Further, because the criminal punishments of KRS 121.990 are essentially and inseparably connected to, contingent upon, and thus not *432 severable from this three-step statutory enforcement scheme, the penalties of KRS 121.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(18) — 1 case
Democratic Party of Kentucky v. Graham, 976 S.W.2d 423 (Ky. 1998). “Further, because the criminal punishments of KRS 121.990 are essentially and inseparably connected to, contingent upon, and thus not *432 severable from this three-step statutory enforcement scheme, the penalties of KRS 121.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(3) — 2 cases
Martin v. Commonwealth, 96 S.W.3d 38 (Ky. 2003). “150, and KRS 121.990, which apply to all election campaigns, not just those that are publicly funded.”
Wilkinson v. Jones, 876 F. Supp. 916 (W.D. Ky. 1995). “KRS 121.990(3) states that knowing violation of 121.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(3)(d) — 1 case
Wilkinson v. Jones, 876 F. Supp. 916 (W.D. Ky. 1995). “KRS 121.990(3) states that knowing violation of 121.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(4) — 2 cases
Newsome v. Hall, 169 S.W.3d 66 (Ky. Ct. App. 2005). “KRS 121.990(4) would appear to offer the remedy of removal for violations of KRS 121.”
United States v. Turner (6th Cir. 2006).
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(5) — 1 case
Democratic Party of Kentucky v. Graham, 976 S.W.2d 423 (Ky. 1998). “Further, because the criminal punishments of KRS 121.990 are essentially and inseparably connected to, contingent upon, and thus not *432 severable from this three-step statutory enforcement scheme, the penalties of KRS 121.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.990(8) — 1 case
Ellis v. Meeks, 957 S.W.2d 213 (Ky. 1997). “Violations of that law are now punishable as a Class A misdemeanor providing for a maximum of 12 months in prison and a $500 fine.”
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