LEXINGTON – Former state Representative and Justice Cabinet Secretary John Tilley pleaded not guilty to First Degree Rape.
As Kentucky Fried Politics first reported, Tilley turned himself into Lexington Police on Monday morning on the charge originating from an incident in Lexington on April 15. The former five-term Democratic lawmaker bonded out of the Fayette County Jail on a $25,000 bond according to the Courier-Journal.
Tilley was in court on Tuesday where he pleads not guilty to the charge. Tilley’s attorney’s told reporters that he is maintaining his innocence and cooperating with the investigation.
Under Kentucky law rape in the first degree (1) A person is guilty of rape in the first degree when: (a) He engages in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion, or (b) He engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable of consent because 1. Is physically helpless; or 2. Is less than twelve (12) years old.
Tilley served in the state House of Representatives from Hopkinsville for five terms. During his time in office, he served as the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He served the Bevin administration as the Justice Cabinet Secretary from 2015 until 2019.
Tilley has another court date for August 26.
