Bid-Rigging Probe FRANKFORT, KY (WEKU) - Defendants in a federal bid-rigging probe in Kentucky made their first appearance in U.S. District Court in Lexington.

Not guilty. That was the plea entered for each of three men indicted in the probe of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Attorney Howard Mann represents one of the defendants, former Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert.

"Mr. Nighbert pleaded not guilty today and he did so because he is innocent. And I think the facts will bear that out at trial, that he is innocent," said Mann.

Attorney Larry Mackey represents Lexington highway contractor Leonard Lawson.

"We're going to launch a vigorous defense and ultimately, my prediction is, a jury's going to find absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Lawson," said Mackey.

Also indicted in the probe is Lawson aide Brian Billings. Trial for the three was set for November 12th in federal district court in Frankfort. The trial is expected to last one to two weeks. © Copyright 2009, WEKU