Nation IN BRIEF : KENTUCKY : State Official Begins Serving Year Term

Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner began a one-year sentence for a payroll violation. Ward (Butch) Burnette was found guilty of putting a new secretary on his department payroll 20 days before she actually began work. Burnette, 49, had been free on bail, but the Kentucky Supreme Court turned down his third appeal last week. He also faces impeachment proceedings. The court upheld Burnette’s conviction, denied his request for a rehearing and refused to order his continued freedom while his lawyer prepares a federal appeal. Burnette contended that the secretary worked during the disputed 20 days.