Commentary: Transportation Mess

While we wait in line for Driving Tests, Illegal Immigrants “Pay to ID” in KY

By Jeff Jobe, Community Publisher/JPI

 

We wait and wait in line and go online day after day, hoping to get a driver’s license appointment. One within 40-50 miles of where we live before bad road conditions are here. A “whistleblower” is now saying illegal immigrants have been paying $200 cash and no lines whatsoever. The $200 pushed them through the system by the vanload several times a day.

According to numerous sources, breaking stories, and confirmed by Governor Andy Beshear’s office, there is indeed an investigation that has taken place and almost 2,000 licenses have been revoked.

Beshear would not confirm that illegal immigrants were being allowed to secure the licenses specifically, but said in a statement, “KYTC immediately contacted law enforcement who are engaged in a criminal investigation, and it includes multiple offices that are both state and federal,” Beshear said. “The revoked credentials, if used, would not work at an airport, would be flagged if pulled over at a traffic stop. We are committed to getting all of the facts into holding anybody who violated the law accountable.”

The reference to airports would imply the issuing of “REAL ID” because they are now required to fly between states–a federal mandate and program. Something news sources seem to be missing. As well as until the investigation, these licenses would be a form of identification needed to vote.

Melissa Moorman has been identified as the “whistleblower.” She is a former clerk at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), and has filed a lawsuit claiming that her bringing the “Pay to ID” scam to the attention of her superiors is why she was terminated.

Moorman worked at the KYTC from October 2022 until her dismissal in January 2025, a short time after she claims to have made others aware of the scam in the fall of 2024.

The lawsuit, filed in April by Moorman, alleges she was required to share her login information with other employees during her more than two years working at the Nia Center in Louisville.

Any of us who have attempted to secure an in-person meeting at any of the 120 offices now consolidated into 33 regional offices are aware of how difficult it has been. I know of examples where people have tried for weeks to schedule a meeting within 40 miles with no success.

I have spoken with legislators and numerous circuit clerks, with no advice other than to advise friends to drive to one and get in line. Those doing this can’t show up without an appointment, and you can’t make an appointment at these offices. They must go online and wait until one becomes available weeks out.

The Kentucky Legislature needs to demand a full investigation of this possible federal crime, and if being done, simply firing people is not acceptable. Indictments need to follow.

Not long ago, our most liberal Democrat legislators were introducing and trying to pass new laws allowing illegal immigrants to drive in Kentucky. I always enjoy hearing them defend putting legislation in place rewarding individuals breaking our laws instead of supporting law enforcement in doing their jobs.

For such an alleged scheme to go on for months is a nasty black eye for Kentucky and will assuredly show up in Governor Beshear’s run for the Democratic nomination to run for President in 2028.

* Melissa Moorman has requested that communication go through her attorney, Abigail V. Lewis, a Louisville attorney with the firm Adams Landenwich Lay. We will update readers on this story as they are made available from the Governor’s office or Moorman’s attorney.