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Kim Davis accused of hiding assets as plaintiffs seek to collect $565K same-sex marriage judgment

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    KENTUCKY (WLEX) — Former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis is facing new allegations in federal court that she provided false sworn answers while creditors attempted to collect on a judgment exceeding $565,000 stemming from the high-profile same-sex marriage case that drew national attention nearly a decade ago.

In a motion filed July 28, attorneys for plaintiffs David Ermold and David Moore allege Davis falsely stated under oath that she owned no property and had not made significant transfers of personal assets.

The filing contends public records show Davis inherited interests in multiple parcels of real estate and later transferred those assets to relatives and a family trust without receiving monetary compensation.

According to the motion, the properties were transferred to family members, including Davis’ husband, son and brother, as well as a trust established for family beneficiaries.

The filing alleges the transfers occurred after appellate courts upheld the judgment against Davis and while collection efforts were ongoing.

Plaintiffs argue the transfers and discovery responses were intended to shield assets from collection and point to what they describe as multiple indicators of fraudulent transfers under Kentucky law.

A separate state court lawsuit, filed on July 15, seeks to void the property transfers and make the assets available to satisfy the outstanding judgment.

The federal court has ordered Davis to appear and explain why she should not be held in contempt. Court records indicate she has also been directed to provide amended, verified discovery responses and additional documents related to her assets and transfers. Plaintiffs are seeking attorney fees and other sanctions.

The underlying judgment stems from litigation brought by Ermold and Moore, who sued Davis after she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the U.S. Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015. The judgment remains unpaid, according to the court filings.

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Nancy Guthrie ransom notes released by sheriff’s department

▶ Watch Video: Sheriff at heart of Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation shares new details on case The ransom notes that appear to have been sent by Nancy Guthrie's kidnapper to a local news outlet shortly after her disappearance were made public Friday by the Pima County Sheriff's Department. The first message was addressed Guthrie's daughter, "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, and was sent to the tip line for CBS affiliate KOLD-TV in Tucson on Feb. 2. It reads:Hello Savannah,We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared. She will be held for ransom and once payment is received she will be released unharmed. We will be holding her for a maximum of 7 days. You will need to send bitcoin in the amount of $4 million USO before 5PM on Thursday the 5th. If payment is not received, the ransom will be increased to 6 million USO which will need to be paid by 5PM on Monday the 9th. Once payment is received to the bitcoin address below she will be released within 12 hours of deposit to a safe drop off location back in Tucson. If payment is not recieved by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5PM, she will be killed. Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands. It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible. You will not be able to contact me from here on out, there will be no negotiation. Do not play games, law enforcement will not be able to help you.She had a white smart watch on the floor of the foot of her bed and the white flood light in backyard was destroyed.        The second letter, sent to the station on Feb. 6, was addressed to the Guthrie family, says that Nancy Guthrie "perished shortly after she was taken."Guthrie Family,We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry.The sheriff's department said it was releasing the notes because they revealed "distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology that reflect the writer's unique linguistic style" and provide "valuable insight into the person's mindset, motives, and the evolution of their tone over time." The department said it hoped the "distinctive linguistic characteristics" might be familiar to a member of the public, and asked that anyone who recognizes the writing style come forward with information.This is a developing story and will be updated.
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