Dan Druen
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Dan Druen was a Kentucky state Transportation Cabinet official in the administration of Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher. Druen joined the Fletcher administration in 2004 and was appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services. Druen was later appointed to policy advisor and Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services.
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[edit] Background
Dan Druen attended the University of the District of Columbia, receiving degrees in Political Science and Mortuary Science.
Druen volunteered for the U.S. Army, finishing his service as a member of the "Old Guard" at Fort Myer, Virginia. Druen completed training and was awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge. The Tomb Guard badge is the least awarded in the U.S. Army.
Druen, a licensed funeral director, started his professional career at the firm of Joseph Gawler's Sons in Washington D.C. Druen eventually became the firm's general manager and director of operations. Joseph Gawlers is know nationally as "The funeral home to the presidents" due to its service to the political, literary and social classes of Washington D.C. During his tenure, Druen participated in the funeral services of Justice Harry Blackmun, Washington Post editor Katharine Graham, General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. and many others.
[edit] Fletcher Administration
With the support of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, Druen was hired into the administration of Governor of Kentucky Ernie Fletcher. Fletcher was the first Republican to be elected governor in Kentucky since 1967. Druen was hired in the state Transportation Cabinet in 2004 and was appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services. Druen was later appointed to policy advisor and Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services.
The Fletcher administration became embroiled in a criminal investigation of illegal hiring practices. The investigation was led by Democratic Attorney General of Kentucky Greg Stumbo. Druen quickly emerged as a central figure. He was indicted in relation to the hiring investigation and it emerged that Druen kept a "hit list" of state employees who were targeted for illegal removal and replacement with political appointees. Druen later told the attorney general that Governor Fletcher had been present when Druen was given the hit list. Druen was indicted also on felony charges for tampering with physical evidence after it emerged that Druen had destroyed documents in an attempt to keep evidence from the special grand jury investigating the administration.
Druen, along with others indicted in the investigation, was granted a pardon by Governor Fletcher on August 29, 2005.
[edit] Subsequent activities
In December, 2005, Druen was charged by the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission with ten ethics counts stemming from the hiring scandal. Each of those counts carries a fine of up to $5,000.
In the aftermath of the ethics charges Druen told the Lexington Herald-Leader, "Everything I did was pursuant to a directive from my supervisors, top to bottom, including the governor, in advancement of the very initiative that carried his name."
On February 6, 2007 a Virginia court held a hearing on whether or not Druen should be ordered to appear as a witness at the criminal trial of former Kentucky state transportation official Sam Beverage. Beverage was charged with perjury for lying to the investigating grand jury. At the hearing it emerged that Druen now lived in Richmond, Virginia and was chief executive officer of Executive Enterprises Inc. in Richmond, Virginia and Grosse Point Farms, Michigan. Druen also said he headed three companies "in the fields of "funeral service and medical training."
Druen argued that he should not have to return to Kentucky and appear as a witness at the Beverage trial but the Virginia judge disagreed and ordered Druen to appear and testify.
