FORMER NKU OFFICIAL FACES DRUG CHARGE

A Campbell County grand jury on Thursday indicted the former head of the
Northern Kentucky University Foundation on a charge of selling marijuana.
The grand jury charged James Alford, 52, with trafficking in marijuana
within 1,000 yards of a school.

The indictment included a gun specification, which increases the maximum
penalty from five years to 10 years in prison.

Alford's attorney, Dean Pisacano, could not be reached for comment.

Highland Heights police and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force arrested
Alford in December at his condominium in Highland Heights after a month-long
investigation.

When police raided his home, they said they confiscated about 12 ounces of
marijuana, digital scales and plastic baggies used to package the drug, and
a .38-caliber revolver.

Investigators said they found no ties between Alford's position at NKU and
his alleged drug selling. While they believe he sold small quantities of the
drug to young adults from his home, none of the buyers was connected to the
university, they said.

At NKU, Alford served as the president and CEO of the Northern Kentucky
University Foundation, an organization separate from the university.

He was responsible for managing and investing millions of dollars in
donations and endowments.

A few days after his arrest, he resigned from the job. Henry E. "Bud" Pogue
IV, vice president of the foundation, is acting as interim president until a
new president can be found.

The foundation also has hired an outside auditor to review the foundation's
financial records as a precaution.

Alford will be arraigned next Friday. He currently is free on bond.