Who is paying Fayette school board chair’s legal fees as he fights removal from office?

Fayette County Public Schools is not paying for Fayette school board chair Tyler Murphy’s legal defense as he tries to thwart an effort to remove him from office, his attorney confirmed Thursday.

A petition to remove Murphy, who holds the top position on the Fayette County Board of Education, is being considered by the Kentucky House impeachment committee. If the committee recommends removing him, the state House and Senate could take up the vote to expel him from office.

Murphy is being represented by Kenyon Meyer of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, based out of Louisville. Meyer told the Herald-Leader Thursday that FCPS is not paying Murphy’s legal bills.

“No third party has paid Mr. Murphy’s legal fees,” Meyer added.

Meyer would not confirm any further information.

Murphy directed the Herald-Leader to Meyer for comment.

Republican state Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville, filed the petition to remove Murphy in January. Lockett’s Jan. 30 petition says Murphy failed to provide adequate oversight of FCPS finances in violation of state law. The district has been mired in the fallout from financial issues last year, after it was revealed that FCPS had a budget deficit of about $16 million.

Multiple investigations have indicated issues with how district leaders handled budgeting.

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins has acknowledged the issues but says oversight of financial planning has improved and the district’s budget is balanced.

Murphy’s response to the removal attempt, filed by his lawyers last month, argues the effort to take him out of office would “usurp the will of voters in Fayette County.” The response also said it’s unconstitutional for lawmakers to try to remove Murphy in the manner they’re considering — through a “removal by address.”

Ken Katkin, a law professor at Northern Kentucky University, told the Herald-Leader there’s reason to believe Murphy is correct in his argument.

Murphy wants the petition dismissed, but lawmakers are still considering removal.