"I haven't broken any laws,� Fletcher said. "My conscience is clear.�
Fletcher apologized to anyone hurt by the hiring practices and said they should seek relief through the state's personnel policy.
"We want to make sure they get their redress,� Fletcher said.
Outside the grand jury room, James Neal, an attorney representing Fletcher in the Merit System investigation said he isn't making plans concerning the future of the investigation.
But prosecutors said the grand jury will continue to hear testimony and could continue on a federal level.
Scott Crawford-Sutherland, assistant to Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo, said the executive branch was overstepping its boundaries and questioned Fletcher's pardons while the probe is ongoing.
"This is one branch of the government trying to send a message to another,� Crawford-Sutherland said. "The grand jury will continue to do its work and fulfill its charge.�
As promised, Fletcher met with the grand jury Tuesday, offering his name, address and occupation before invoking his Fifth Amendment rights protecting him from possible self-incrimination. The Governor's appearance lasted a little more than two minutes.
The Merit System investigation began in May after a whistleblower in the Transportation Cabinet accused the administration of illegally filling jobs on the basis of politics, not qualifications.
At first, the investigation focused on the Transportation Department and the governor's office but has since expanded to other agencies.
To date, the grand jury has indicted nine current and former Fletcher administration officials.
Fletcher said he has tried to comply with all requests for information he felt were "appropriate,� and his administration faces going through "millions� of emails in an effort to comply.
