Chuck Hart of Salt Lick was found guilty in June 2007 of attempting to influence a juror during a trial for charges of vote buying during the May 2006 primary in Bath County. He was also found guilty of obstruction of justice, two counts of vote buying and two counts of knowingly making false statements to the feds.

It all stems from a February meeting of Hart, Bath County Attorney Donald Maze and Bath County PVA Paul Goodpaster in which jurors were targeted and pressured by Hart in an attempt to obstruct justice. Hart, according to Maze and Goodpaster, actually called the supervisor (whom he knew) of one juror in order to determine “what kind of person” the juror was.

But like all bad things in Kentucky’s crazy political world, the end is nigh. Hart was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison. It’s over, Bath Countians. You may breathe a collective sigh of relief.

From the Herald-Leader:

An Eastern Kentucky man has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison in connection with vote buying in the 2006 primary. Federal Judge Joseph Hood sentenced Charles “Chuck” Hart, 55, of Salt Lick in Bath County on Monday. Hart was found guilty last June of obstruction of justice, vote buying and making false statements to federal agents.

Things are calming down in that neck of the woods today with the special election in the 72nd House District. Polls close at 6:00 P.M., at which point we’ll know whether Democrat Sannie Overly bests Republican Bryan Beauman as she is expected.