FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has been awarded more than $780,000 in federal funding that will be used to help protect residents from scams, fraud and price gouging during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Andy Beshear said.
The funding will be used to better protect Kentucky residents, especially seniors and those experiencing financial difficulty, from being targeted by criminals, Beshear said Wednesday in a statement.
“This funding provides resources to our law enforcement and public safety agencies to take forceful action to stop predators and protect Kentuckians,” he said.
The Attorney General’s Office will receive $540,323 to hire an attorney, a paralegal and an investigator to address rampant COVID-related consumer fraud, scams and price-gouging complaints. The office will also get $144,136 to hire an investigator dedicated to financial fraud and exploitation targeting seniors.
In addition, the Department of Public Advocacy will receive $102,270 to launch a pilot project that addresses the adverse effects of COVID-19 on indigent clients.
