(WHAS11) With former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) sitting on the dais a mere twenty feet away, Governor Steve Beshear's (D) inaugural address dredged up the controversies that hastened the end of Fletcher's time in office in 2007.
"When I took office four years ago, I found both money and trust to be scarce," Beshear said several minutes into his speech.
An aggressive investigation by then Attorney General Greg Stumbo (D) into hiring practices of the Fletcher administration resulted in indictments and crippled Fletcher's political future, despite an agreement that dropped the misdemeanor charges.
In his address to kick off his second term, Beshear referred to the "reckless attitude toward ethics" that preceded his first term, adding "decisions guided by self-preservation and a dysfunctional way of tackling problems."
Fletcher, sitting between his wife Glenna and another former Kentucky First Lady, Judi Patton, listened dispassionately.
"I knew things had to change," Beshear continued, "and so immediately we implemented a set of strong ethics policies and training. We created an atmosphere of accountability and openness. In my first inaugural address, I pledged to put our 'house in order.' In this, my second address, I can now tell you that the house is in order."
Fletcher, who is founder and CEO of a Cincinnati health care consulting company, was one of the seven living former governors named as honorary co-chairs of the inauguration.
Six attended, Fletcher, John Y. Brown, Jr., Wendell Ford, Julian Carroll, Martha Layne Collins and Paul Patton.
Former governor Brereton Jones did not attend.
Fletcher was also silent during applause lines geared toward expanded gambling. His opposition to gambling was a central issue in the 2007 campaign.
