Former Kentucky police union official under investigation for stealing $50k from FOP lodge
A former official with the state Fraternal Order of Police is under investigation for allegedly stealing around $50,000 from a Louisville area branch of the police union, Louisville Metro Police and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police confirmed to the Herald-Leader Wednesday.
Local police took a report on the matter last week and handed it over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to a spokesperson for LMPD.
Per an internal memo to state Fraternal Order of Police members written by attorney Steven Wolnitzek, first reported by Louisville television station WDRB and obtained by the Herald-Leader, the man implicated in the matter is Ryan Straw.
Straw is the former vice president of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police. Straw is also accused of taking money from similar organizations, according to the memo, which stated that Straw was unable to return funds to members of an investment club he started.
The memo also said that two budgets Straw oversaw, the Governmental Affairs Committee and his Vice President’s budget, were overspent by more than $50,000 in total. An internal audit committee has been created to review the situation.
When contacted, Straw told the Herald-Leader he had no comment.
Straw has not been charged with any crime related to the allegations.
Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police President Berl Perdue, who serves as sheriff of Clark County, released a statement Wednesday afternoon confirming the basic details of the allegations.
“State and local FOP officials sought the assistance of the LMPD and the office of the Attorney General to investigate and resolve the matter appropriately. The FOP does not tolerate illegal or unethical behavior or actions from its members. The alleged suspect was identified by the local lodge and has been removed from any position of authority within the FOP,” Perdue wrote.
Straw was a highly visible lobbyist and political activist on behalf of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police. He is regularly quoted in media outlets on Frankfort policy and was paid $18,400 for his lobbying efforts in 2023, according to the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission.
While the Louisville Metro Police did not name the specific lodge, Straw was most recently involved with Metro Lodge 32 in Louisville. According to Wolnitzek’s memo, Straw’s withdrawal of more than $49,000 left the lodge “nearly broke.” A grievance regarding the matter was first filed in late October and heard by state executive Fraternal Order of Police members at a Nov. 21 meeting.
“At this meeting, It was communicated to members of the state executive board that Lodge 32 learned that Brother Straw had unilaterally withdrawn over $49,000 from their lodge coffers and that they were nearly broke,” Wolnitzek wrote.
“Lodge 32 board members reported this to LMPD and an investigation has been initiated in conjunction with the FBI and Attorney General’s Office. As a result of these discoveries Lodge 32 voted to temporarily suspend Brother Straw’s powers as President of their Local Lodge,” Wolnitzek wrote. “A member of Lodge 32 has also filed a separate grievance against Brother Straw over their financial situation, which will also be heard at their December meeting.”
Straw has faced several lawsuits filed by creditors over the past two years.
Truist Bank, Commonwealth Credit Union, American Express and Fidelity Investments have all taken legal action in state court against Straw since 2023. Straw’s balance at each, at the time of their respective lawsuit, exceeded $10,000.
This story was originally published November 27, 2024 at 12:53 PM.