Police Cite Bowling Green City Commissioner, Catherine Hamilton, For Being "Orally Gratifying" At City Park, To Man Not Her Husband. Read More Below.

Police cite BG leader while watching park
Hamilton pleads guilty today in district court
By JUSTIN STORY

Bowling Green City Commissioner Catherine Hamilton pleaded guilty this morning to a charge of second-degree disorderly conduct a day after being cited by city police on the first day of undercover surveillance into sexual activity at Weldon Peete Park.

Hamilton, 33, and Mark A. Vaughn, 47, were each charged Thursday in connection with the incident.

Vaughn pleaded guilty today to indecent exposure. Both were ordered by Warren District Court Judge Sam Potter to pay a $200 fine. Hamilton also received a 30-day sentence probated for one year and Vaughn received a 60-day sentence probated for one year, both on the condition that they not commit any further offenses.

“This is never a pleasant situation for anybody, but I think they did the responsible thing and they resolved it through the court system,” said Bowling Green attorney David Broderick, who represented the pair.

Hamilton and Vaughn entered their pleas separately a few minutes apart in district court and were never in the courtroom at the same time. They each left without making further comment.

Broderick issued a three-paragraph, typed statement from Hamilton after she entered her plea

“I appreciate the honor to serve on the Bowling Green City Commission and have worked hard to serve the interests of the citizens. I have always loved this community and the opportunities it has given me,” the statement read. “I have taken responsibility for my inappropriate actions in Warren District Court this morning. I regret that I have caused embarrassment for my husband and my family, and the distraction that this has caused for the city. I am truly sorry for the pain that I have caused through my personal failure.”

“I had already made the decision not to run for re-election earlier this year, but I plan to continue my commitment to the citizens of Bowling Green by completing my term as a city commissioner. I pledge to focus on that commitment. I ask for your understanding and forgiveness in dealing with this personal matter.”

Officer Barry Pruitt, Bowling Green Police Department spokesman, said city police had received several complaints in the last couple of weeks from people who had witnessed sexual activity at the park during daytime hours.

Thursday was the first day that multiple detectives were at the park to conduct surveillance, Pruitt said.

“We found it necessary to conduct an operation in an effort to try to curb some of that activity,” Pruitt said. “Officers were out there yesterday and discovered discarded undergarments and used condoms ... this type of activity is going on with a day care adjacent to the property, so it’s a problem that we needed to address.”

According to police reports, detectives doing surveillance at the park on Old Louisville Road witnessed Vaughn arrive at the park alone about 8 a.m. Thursday, where he walked along the paved walking track with two large dogs for about 15 to 30 minutes.

Hamilton joined Vaughn on the walking track about 8:30 a.m. and police observed the two embrace and touch each other’s chests, according to reports.

Detectives saw Hamilton perform oral sex on Vaughn for a few seconds before the two stopped and walked toward the woods near Barren River, where they were confronted by police at 8:54 a.m., reports stated.

Hamilton told detectives that she was sorry, that this was not like her and that this was the first time she had done anything like this, according to a report written by Detective Brett Kreilein.

According to a narrative written by Detective Jamie Luttrell, Vaughn made statements to Luttrell and another detective that he thought that he and Hamilton should be given a break. When confronted by police about the oral sex, Vaughn said that it only lasted a few seconds.

“Mr. Vaughn went on to say that he thought Mrs. Hamilton should be given a break because she was a public official and it would tarnish her record,” Luttrell’s report stated.

Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker said this morning that Hamilton had not contacted her about the incident.

“There is nothing in the city code of ordinances that would prevent her from fulfilling the rest of her term,” Walker said.