Louisville Democratic Rep. Daniel Grossberg agrees to $2,000 ethics fines and public reprimand in Frankfort

Agreement ends planned public hearing

Louisville Democratic state Rep. Daniel Grossberg has agreed to pay $2,000 in fines and accept a public reprimand under an agreed order approved Monday, February 2, 2026, by the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. The deal resolved an ethics case that had been scheduled for the commission’s first public proceeding involving Grossberg.

The commission voted to approve the agreed order after meeting privately for nearly two hours. A public hearing in which witnesses were expected to testify did not occur once the settlement was reached.

What the agreed order requires

Under the terms approved Monday, Grossberg must pay two $1,000 fines tied to two matters the commission had previously determined warranted further investigation. The agreed order also includes a public reprimand.

• Fine tied to an interaction in a legislative office: One matter stems from a discussion in Grossberg’s office with an advocate regarding gender transition policy. The agreed order describes questioning that was personal in nature and alleged to be inappropriate. The order states Grossberg now recognizes the behavior was inappropriate and that he is engaged in counseling, therapy and skills training.

• Fine tied to statements to a business: The second matter involves allegations that Grossberg invoked his identity or office while making intimidating statements to a business as he was leaving. The agreed order indicates Grossberg denied misconduct while stipulating there may be sufficient evidence to find a violation of legislative ethics law.

Third allegation addressed without a finding of violation

A third matter reviewed by the commission was described in the agreed order as lacking sufficient evidence to find a violation. That allegation centered on whether Grossberg offered access to a state catering vendor list in connection with a potential political donation. The order states no campaign contribution was received in response to the request and that the parties involved denied an exchange of a benefit for a donation.

Background and broader policy context

Grossberg, who represents Kentucky House District 30, has faced scrutiny since 2024 following public allegations of inappropriate conduct toward women and calls for his resignation. He has remained in office and has publicly disputed the characterization of the allegations.

The case also unfolded alongside a broader debate about the scope of the legislative ethics code. The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission has urged lawmakers to define and prohibit sexual harassment within the code. The matters that produced fines in Grossberg’s case were addressed as potential violations of existing ethics provisions rather than as sexual-harassment findings.

Monday’s agreed order concluded the commission’s proceeding without witness testimony in a public hearing.