Judge Orders KTC To Pay Man Over $150,000 Requesting "IM GOD" License Plate

A total of $151,206 was ordered to Hart.

( Photo by ACLU-Kentucky.)

(Kenton Co., Ky.) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has to pay $150,000 in attorney fees to a man who requested a license plate reading, "IM GOD."

Ben "Bennie" Hart identifies as an atheist and claims that this license plate is his way of spreading a political and philosophical message that faith is susceptible to individualized interpretation, reports FOX19 NOW

Hart claims that he had been driving in Ohio with "IM GOD" on his license plate for over a decade. 

“I can prove I’m God. You can’t prove I’m not. Now, how can I prove I’m God? Well, there are six definitions for God in the American Heritage Dictionary, and number five is a very handsome man, and my wife says I’m a very handsome man, and nobody argues with my wife,” Hart tells FOX19 NOW.

When the man moved to Kenton County in 2016, he ordered his license plate, requesting the same message. 

Instead of receiving his plate, he got a letter from commonwealth transportation officials denying his request. The explanation given was that this license plate could be considered "vulgar or obscene."

The state's lawyer stated that they would have taken the same position if the request was “IM ALLAH,” “IM BUDDAH,” or “IM SATAN”

The American Civil Liberties Union and Free From Religion Foundation files a lawsuit on behalf of Hart. 

 In April of 2017, the state asked for this lawsuit to be dismissed. 

Hart was given his plate after the court ruled that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet violated the First Amendment.

On February 10, Judge Gregory Tantenhove ordered the KTC to pay Hart $151,206 in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs.

More from Local News


Events

Lawrenceburg Police Officer Honored at Retirement Party

Thanks to Rodney Markland for his 22 years of service!

Ivy Tech Lawrenceburg Receives Gift from Duke Energy to Support Student Resource Shop

The resource shop, called Food for Thought, is fully staffed M-Th from 10-6 by Ivy Tech nursing students.

Road Closure Announced for Hogan Hill Road

The closure starts Monday, August 25.

Local Sports Report - August 21, 2025

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

South Dearborn Names New Softball Head Coach

Mike Cutter revived the middle school program in 2023.

On Air

Your Hometown Radio Station playing
Collin Raye - That's My Story

Luke Bryan Fast 0:49
Tucker Wetmore 3,2,1 0:46
Parmalee Take My Name 0:44
Garth Brooks and Steve Wariner Longneck Bottle 0:41