Published: February 26, 2009 04:46 pm      

Nunn says he'll be exonerated of domestic violence charge

Former wife doesn't believe the charge either

FRANKFORT — Steve Nunn, the Deputy Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said Thursday he is innocent of a domestic violence accusation and expects to be “fully exonerated” and to re-assume his duties.

Nunn, 56, a former Republican lawmaker, unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate, and the son of former Gov. Louie B. Nunn, was charged on Feb. 19 with physically and verbally abusing Amanda Ross, 29, of Lexington. He was placed on administrative leave without pay the following day and has a March 4 court date in Fayette Family Court.

Nunn had another unexpected public defender Thursday. His former wife, Tracy Damron Nunn, appeared before the House Health and Welfare Committee in support of “Best Buddies,” a program which matches intellectually disabled students with other students to help them develop better social skills. At the end of her presentation, Tracy Nunn said “the truth will come out” about the charges against Nunn.

She said her “heightened awareness” about women’s and children’s issues came from her former husband’s passion for those issues during their 10-year marriage. She said Steve Nunn worked in the legislature to promote the health and welfare of women and children.

“I know the kind of man Steve Nunn is,” she said to the committee. “We were married for 10 years and I know where his heart lies. Let the facts be heard. Let the truth be told. Steve Nunn can hold his head up high and I will attest to his character.”

Afterward, Tracy Nunn said she didn't believe the charges "for one second and that's why I stand by him."

Ross, the woman who accused Nunn, said on her complaint that Nunn was at her Lexington home watching a basketball game when he “became combative, hit me four times in my face, broke a lamp, and scratched the hallway wall.” The complaint also indicates Nunn was verbally abusive and said “this has happened many times before.”

Nunn said he’s innocent and he expects to be “fully exonerated.” He also said he expects to return to his job at the cabinet afterward.

“I’m not hiding and I can hold my head up high,” Nunn said. “I’ll be willing to take a lie detector any time, any place, for anyone.”

Cabinet spokeswoman Vikki Franklin said Wednesday that Nunn had been placed on indefinite administrative leave without pay and wouldn’t comment any further. She declined to say if the leave was related to the emergency protective order lodged against Nunn.



Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com.