SPRINGIELD, Ill. (AP) — A former assistant prison warden, at the center of an explosive 2012 government email in which a lobbyist alludes to a rape cover-up and illegal hiring, gave “false information” during an investigation about his misplacing keys at a state lockup, documents obtained by The Associated Press show.

State officials refused to say Monday whether Forrest Ashby faced discipline in the matter. Ashby is the subject of a 2012 email revealed this month in which a powerful lobbyist sought leniency for Ashby in another disciplinary matter because of his loyalty, having “kept his mouth shut on …  the rape in Champaign and other items.”