A former employee of the Kentucky DMV claims he was dismissed after reporting that coworkers were selling driver’s licenses to undocumented individuals for $200 each.
Melissa Moorman has come forward, stating that she observed DMV staff selling licenses to unauthorized immigrants about four to five times daily for at least two years.
“Employees were receiving cash payments on the side,” Moorman explained to a local news outlet. “I immediately alerted my supervisor.”
Moorman also alleges that employees would accept fees to create fraudulent documents to help these individuals obtain licenses. She mentioned that none of these undocumented people had taken the driving test.
She claims another employee had told her that her supervisor instructed them to share their DMV login credentials, which were then used to facilitate the illegal issuance of her license.
Moorman reported her concerns to the supervisor, but she was terminated regardless.
“I showed up to work and found my computer shut off… that was it,” she shared. “It felt like a punch to the gut. I had just been trained as a supervisor, and it was a good job for me.”
“I felt a mix of anger, hurt, and depression. I did the right thing by speaking out. I shouldn’t have been fired,” she remarked.
Kentucky law does allow non-citizens to obtain a driver’s license, provided they can show proof of legal residency and other identifying documents. However, undocumented immigrants are not permitted to have a legal license.
“It’s astounding that this could go on for so long within the Department of Transportation,” Moorman’s attorney stated. “Why penalize the employee for reporting it? She ought to be seen as a hero. Clearly, there were no effective checks in place. If there existed a system to oversee these licenses, it would seem proper audits and financial measures should have been conducted.”
The state is said to have initiated an investigation into the alleged fraud following Moorman’s lawsuit filed in April.
Some undocumented individuals have reportedly had their licenses revoked, and these licensees were informed through official state letters that they must return their cards. They were also cautioned about potential prosecution.
The state is believed to have sent over 1,500 letters to holders of these illegally issued licenses.
