HIGDON DEMANDS IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED FRAUD IN KENTUCKY DRIVER’S LICENSING SYSTEM
Reports say illegal residents received licenses through cash bribes while Kentucky citizens endured long lines, poor service, and appointment shortage
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2025) — Senate Transportation Chair Jimmy Higdon today called for an immediate and exhaustive investigation following explosive allegations revealed by WDRB News and a whistleblower from within the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The whistleblower’s account, corroborated by internal communications, claims that non-citizens, including individuals reportedly in the country illegally, were granted Kentucky driver’s licenses after allegedly paying $200 in cash under the table to state workers.
“If these reports are accurate, this is fundamentally wrong on every level. It’s not just a breakdown in oversight but a betrayal of public trust.
“Kentuckians have been vocal about their frustrations with driver's license services and appointments. To now learn that illegal residents may have been fraudulently provided licenses and IDs, documents that could enable participation in our elections, is simply unacceptable. It’s an affront to good governance.
“The Kentucky General Assembly will raise concerns and take every action within our authority to correct this wrong and ensure it never happens again. I’m currently working with my colleagues to address driver's licensing issues. One time is too many, and now we must find out exactly how many times it has happened.
“The people of Kentucky deserve to know how widespread this revelation is, who allowed it, and what steps will be taken to prevent it in the future. I appreciate the press for bringing this story forward and to the attention of the public.”
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BACKGROUND
According to a WDRB News report, a former DMV clerk and whistleblower reported witnessing multiple incidents per day in which driver’s licenses were issued to individuals in the country illegally after they paid $200 in cash to state workers. WDRB reports that the Governor’s Office and Cabinet officials declined to comment on the allegations, and that prior statements from the Governor regarding fraud made no mention of issues involving illegal immigrants. The same whistleblower claims the fraudulent activity persisted despite repeated warnings to supervisors.
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Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, represents the 14th Senate District, including LaRue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer, and Washington Counties. Higdon serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, overseeing efforts to craft biennial road plans, advance Kentucky’s transportation infrastructure, and improve public safety. He also serves as Senate co-chair of the Public Pension Oversight Board, focusing on stabilizing and strengthening Kentucky’s pension systems through reform and surplus investment. Additionally, Higdon is a member of the Senate Committees on Education; Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; and Licensing and Occupations. During the 2024 interim, he served as a Kentucky Housing Task Force member.
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