Auditor reviews how Kentucky spent virus-relief funds

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s auditor says the state spent $1.4 billion of its share of federal pandemic aid passed in early 2020. Auditor Mike Harmon says the state had $150 million left unspent through March of this year. Harmon’s report on Wednesday focused on Kentucky’s use of CARES Act funding. He says nearly 30% of the amount spent by Kentucky through March was in a category referred to as “qualified government expenditures.” Harmon says those expenditures will be examined by auditors. State budget director John Hicks says Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration has been “fully transparent” about how federal coronavirus relief funds were spent.