Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin got in a public battle with local reporters because one allegedly flew a drone over his house, while another demanded entry to his residence.
Barry Fulmer, the vice president for WDRB News, is reportedly contributing to an investigation into whether Bevin, who lives in the Louisville suburbs, received a “sweetheart deal” for his recent acquisition of a mansion.
Bevin says Fulmer crossed the line by ostensibly using a drone for surveillance purposes, especially since he has several young children.
The drone that was just flying over my home & filming my children was personally flown by @WDRBNews Director https://t.co/8cEacM885B
— Governor Matt Bevin (@GovMattBevin) August 1, 2017
At one point, Bevin called a reporter for The Courier-Journal a “#PeepingTom” for allegedly coming to his home yet again “with three attorneys demanding to be let in.”
We have 9 children ages 7-18 and yet @TomLoftus_CJ aka #PeepingTom just came to my home again with three attorneys demanding to be let in…
— Governor Matt Bevin (@GovMattBevin) August 1, 2017
He also called out other regional outlets.
At what point does the perverse fascination by @wave3news, @courierjournal & #PeepingTom Loftus with my home & family border on stalking?
— Governor Matt Bevin (@GovMattBevin) August 1, 2017
Fulmer denied that he or his office was wrongfully snooping, but purported that he was complying with the Federal Aviation Administration’s rules.
.@GovMattBevin WDRB was flying a drone in accordance to the FAA rules to cover news happening at your home. There is NO video of children. https://t.co/ZBoBiJTfsn
— Barry Fulmer (@BarryFulmerWDRB) August 1, 2017
City officials were ultimately allowed into the home to conduct a financial evaluation of the property, but reporters were not granted access, according to Ars Technica.
As for the drone, it appears to be legal to shoot the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) down from the sky in certain places and situations. (RELATED: 65-Year-Old Woman Obliterates Drone Hovering Over Her Property)
In fact, Kentucky seems to be one of those places.
A case against a man in the state who fired on a drone flying over his property was dismissed by a U.S. District court because there was a “lack of subject matter jurisdiction,” according to the blog DroneLife. (RELATED: Now You Can Take Down Drones Without Using A Shotgun)
Meredith was originally arrested for criminal mischief, but the judge said the UAV constituted an invasion of his privacy, and he “had the right to shoot” the drone.
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