Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission

​​​​Steven Pulliam, Executive Director

Mr. Pulliam is the Executive Director of the Commission. He joined the staff in December, 2024 as the General Counsel. He is originally from Frankfort, KY and received his law degree and undergraduate degree both from the University of Kentucky. After law school he clerked for Judge Roger Crittenden (ret.) in the Franklin Circuit Court before going on to serve as Deputy Bar Counsel for the KY Bar Association, General Counsel to the KY Executive Branch Ethics Commission, and Investigator for the LRC Office of Education Accountability. 

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Larisa Plecha, General Counsel​

Ms. Plecha is the General Counsel of the Commission. She goined the ​​staff in December, 2025. After graduating from the Youth Performing Arts School at DuPont Manual HS, she went on to obtain her bachelor of music degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Before going to law school, she worked as an orchestra teacher in the Fairfax County Public Schools (VA). She earned her law degree from the Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, FL, and she has served the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a staff attorney at both the
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Attorney General’s Office. 

Donnita B. Crittenden, Assistant Executive Director

Mrs. Crittenden is the Assistant Executive Director of the Commission. Mrs. Crittenden joined the Commission in August 1993 and was promoted to the Assistant Executive Director in March, 2025. She is a graduate of Franklin County High School, and has a BA in Public Administration from Kentucky State University.Her previous experience includes a three-year internship with the Kentucky Department of Education, specifically assigned to the State Board of Education.

Direct Line Number - (502) 573-2863

Donnita.Crittenden@kylegislature.gov

Lori M. Smither, ​ Executive Assistant to the Commission

Mrs. Smither is the Executive Assistant for the Legislative Ethics Commission. She is a graduate of Franklin County High School and has a degree in four areas of Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education. In addition, Lori has obtained certificates for the Kentucky Director’s Credential, Kentucky Child Care Provider, School Age Child Care, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Technical Studies, and Early Childhood Administrator. Her previous experience includes working as a Member Service Representative at a banking institution for seven years, as a Director/Teacher for 11 years, and part-time in the Commission Office for eight years.

Direct Line Number - (502) 564-9076

Lori.Smither@kylegislature​​.gov