The Kentucky Supreme Court accepted a negotiated sanction of a fully-probated one year suspension

While Movant was employed as the director of the Metro Louisville Department of Housing and Family Services, she knowingly violated rules or regulations relating to her office in connection with public benefits received by her mother. In August 2014, Movant entered an Alford plea to two counts of first-degree official misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor. As a result of these convictions, Movant was sentenced to twelve months on each count with the sentences to run concurrently, for a total of 12 months. This sentence was conditionally discharged for two years, or until restitution in the amount of $8,885.00 is paid, whichever is longer.

WDRB.com reported on the criminal case.

A former Louisville Housing Director accused of giving her mother tax money to pay the mortgage in 2007 and more than $8,000 in other city funds has pleaded guilty to official misconduct and agreed to pay restitution. 

But both Kimberly Bunton and her mother, Vickie Smallwood, maintained their innocence while pleading guilty to two counts of official misconduct each and accepting a one year jail sentence, which would be conditionally discharged for two years or until the two pay back the city $8,885.

Bunton and Smallwood entered Alford pleas in Jefferson Circuit Court Monday, meaning they maintained their innocence but acknowledged there was enough evidence for a jury to convict them. 

“We feel largely vindicated,” said Todd Lewis, an attorney for Bunton, noting that the pair were facing felony theft charges but have long denied stealing any money. 

Ryan Vantrease, another attorney for Bunton, said she “never stole anything,” but instead may not have properly followed correct protocal in giving Smallwood more than $1,500 to pay her mortgage on her West Louisville home and $8,895 in public benefits as part of a no-bid contract that the housing department awarded in 2007. 

Bunton, former director of the Department of Housing and Family Services, insisted her mother qualified for the $1,500 but she later paid back the money and resigned. 

As part of the guilty plea, Bunton will pay $100 a month plus a $5 fee in restitution until the $8,885 is paid in full. Smallwood will pay $10 a month plus a small fee. She left before her daughter was sentenced.