Graves County property valuation administrator, 1 other accused of misusing funds

GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) – Two people, one who is an elected official in Graves County, have been indicted on abuse of public trust charges.

On September 19, Howell Carr was indicted on a single count of abuse of public trust over $10,000, a Class C felony. He is the elected propety valuation administrator.

Karla Renkoski was also indicted on a single count of complicity to abuse of public trust less than $10,000, a Class D felony.

Kentucky State Police were contacted by the Kentucky Office of Auditor of Public Accounts in June of 2023.

Auditors said they discovered several questionable and improper disbursements made by the Graves County Property Valuation Administration Office (PVA).

An investigation of the Graves County PVA office, including the elected PVA Howell Carr, was initiated which included an examination of multiple years of business records and financial documents. Investigators determined that Carr had authorized people who were not PVA employees to receive benefits from the office which included cell phones and fuel credit cards.

Carr was also found to have misused funds related to his elected office which totaled over $10,000, according to Kentucky State Police.

Renkoski was complicit in the misuse of a portion of those funds, according to KSP. She is not an employee of the PVA.

D detective with the Kentucky State Police testified before a Graves County Grand Jury on September 19.

Both Carr and Renkoski were served with criminal summons on September 20.