Judge: Ky. gov must testify in person

COVINGTON, Ky., May 27 (UPI) -- Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear must testify in person at the bid-rigging trial of former state Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert, a federal judge says.

U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves in Covington, Ky., Tuesday denied a request by prosecutors the governor be allowed to testify through a videotaped deposition, The (Louisville Ky.) Courier-Journal reported.

Beshear general counsel Ellen Hesen told Reeves the governor needed to be on hand at the state Capitol during an expected special session of the Kentucky General Assembly called to address the state's budget problems. The judge disagreed, saying Beshear should be able to make an appearance at the trial, currently scheduled for a June 23 start.

"It is frankly not that far from Frankfort to Covington," Reeves said.

Nighbert and road contractor Leonard Lawson are accused by federal officials of bribery and conspiracy. Nighbert allegedly leaked confidential cost estimates for state road contracts to Lawson, the Courier-Journal reported.