LOUISVILLE - A judge will move Tina Conner's sexual harassment lawsuit against Gov. Paul Patton from Jefferson County to Franklin County, a court official said Tuesday.

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Debbie Linnig Michals, spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Circuit Court clerk's office, said Judge Geoffrey Morris had contacted Franklin County Circuit Judge Roger Crittenden to let him know the case would be moved there.

Judge Morris will sign an order today moving the case, Ms. Michals said.

Mrs. Conner's lawsuit alleges that her nursing home was the target of Mr. Patton's revenge after she broke off their sexual relationship. Mr. Patton has acknowledged the affair but denied that he misused his power to give her special treatment or retaliate.

Judge Crittenden said Judge Morris called him Monday about moving the case, as a courtesy. The procedure then will be for the case to be assigned by lot in the Franklin Circuit Court clerk's office to either Judge Crittenden or Judge William Graham.

Judge Morris' decision follows a hearing Monday in which he appeared to narrow the options for a change of venue to Franklin County, favored by Mr. Patton's lawyer, or Hickman County in far western Kentucky, the site of Mrs. Conner's nursing home.

Mrs. Conner's lawyer, Fred Radolovich of Louisville, seemed resigned Monday to the prospect of moving the case to either county. He said both places have “equally competent judges” and “good juries.”

Mr. Patton's lawyer, Sheryl Snyder of Louisville, also said the case could get an impartial jury anywhere. But he argued the case should be heard in Franklin County, the seat of state government.

Neither Mr. Radolovich nor Mr. Snyder immediately returned calls Wednesday night to their homes and offices seeking comment.

Mrs. Conner claims that Mr. Patton arranged preferential treatment for her nursing home, Birchtree Healthcare in Clinton, during their affair from 1997 to 1999 and for a time after their affair ended. She contends Mr. Patton unleashed regulators on her nursing home after she ended the affair.

Birchtree Healthcare was cited for numerous violations in December 2001, two months after Mrs. Conner said she broke off communication with Mr. Patton. Birchtree has since filed for bankruptcy protection.

Besides the lawsuit, investigations are under way by the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, federal authorities and Attorney General Ben Chandler. PattonConner

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