That's one of several allegations made by Bevarage a five page written "proffer" that he gave to Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Larry Cleveland as part of Bevarage's plea deal in his criminal case. Bevarage was required to give statements to the prosecutor before pleading guilty to a perjury charge two weeks ago. He was sentenced to two years probation today.

But it was his written statement that was clearly the big news. In it, Bevarage claims Governor Fletcher was personally handed a list of potential road projects with the name of the state senators district next to it. Bevarage claims "projects were then selected for those Senators that voted for the Governor's programs."

Bevarage also claims he was ordered by former Deputy Transportation Secretary Jim Adams to investigate Greg Stumbo for possible political interference in eastern Kentucky road contracts.

And Bevarage says the $42 million/yr. discretionary road fund "is where the real politics is played." Bevarage claims the fund "is essentially a large campaign chest and is used accordingly."

State Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert issued a statement saying "alot of this seems to be the delusional ramblings of a man who will say anything to keep his hide out of prison. And it worked." Nighbert says Governor Fletcher never told him how to spend one dime of discretionary funds. He says decisions were made to "improve highway safety for every man, woman and child in the state" and to help secure new jobs.

The Bevarage written proffer was given to reporters following a request by WHAS 11 News. We also requested Cleveland's videotaped interview with Bevarage. After our request, Cleveland and Franklin Circuit Judge Tommy Wingate released the written proffer to reporters, but not the videotaped interview. The Attorney General's Office objected to its release. Deputy Attorney General Pierce Whites said the A.G.'s investigators wanted to review Bevarage's taped statement to see if its release might hurt their criminal investigation which was launched after they received Bevarage's written allegations. The F.B.I. also has a copy of that written proffer. Judge Wingate told reporters he'll release the videotaped statement next week though Whites indicated the A.G.'s office might object. WHAS-TV is expected to fight any attempt to keep Bevarage's videotaped testimony sealed.

Fletcher's office would not comment on Bevarage's statement but Ryan Alessi of the Lexington Herald-Leader did catch up with the governor at a public event in Winchester. His quotes from Fletcher and the text of the Bevarage statement are available at the WatchH-L's Polerwatchers site: