KY Workers’ Comp Official Resigns

The head of the Kentucky agency that regulates workers’ compensation insurance resigned from his position. The Associated Press reported that Larry Greathouse, Kentucky’s commissioner of the Department of Workers Claims, said at the end of a recent public hearing that he would leave the post, according to a statement from the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

The statement did not elaborate. Greathouse could not be reached for comment.

The cabinet statement said William P. Emrick, executive director of the cabinet’s legal services office, would fill in as acting commissioner.

By law, Gov. Ernie Fletcher would appoint a permanent commissioner from among candidates selected by a special nominating commission.

The public hearing was on a plan by a Louisville-based insurer, AIK Comp, to retroactively collect $49 million in premiums from its customers. The company claims it is facing a $40 million shortfall, according to documents filed with the department last week.

Associated Industries of Kentucky, a business lobbying group, created AIK Comp in 1979. It appoints AIK Comp’s trustees.

Andrew Meko, president of the industry group, said in a letter to member employers that it learned of the company’s financial problems when they did.

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