Investigation into former Clark Co. sheriff involves 'troubling' evidence of improper payments, official says

LOUSIVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Several search warrants executed by Indiana State Police at the Jeffersonville home owned by former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel on Wednesday involved "troubling" and "improper" time off payments, Sheriff Scottie Maples said in a written statement Thursday.

Scottie Maples, the current Clark County Sheriff, issued that statement Thursday afternoon.

"Several months ago, a review by my office uncovered troubling evidence of potential criminal activity, including financial and payroll irregularities involving former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel," Maples said in a written statement. "We sent that evidence to the Indiana State Police for an independent investigation and provided all the assistance we could. As part of our cooperation with ISP, we were asked not to say or do anything that could have compromised the investigation.

"After yesterday's search warrants were executed, I can now say that we believe Jamey Noel was not legally entitled to all of the personal time off he was being paid for after his resignation. My office will not pay him any additional leave and will work with the state to claw back any funds that were improperly paid."

Crime scene tape surrounded he home on Old Tay Bridge in Jeffersonville on Wednesday, and several ISP cruisers were spotted outside.

Court records obtained by WDRB News show Noel and his wife bought the home last October, signing a 30-year mortgage. Noel hasn't responded to multiple requests for comment.

ISP spokesperson Capt. Ron Galaviz said at the time that the warrants involve allegations of public corruption, tax evasion, fraud, ghost employment and official misconduct.

While state troopers still have a lot of questions, they're not the only ones looking for answers.

Plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Noel and some Floyd County elected officials are asking questions.

"I was caught, like everybody else, which was ... it was an 'oh, wow' moment, you know, when that was happening," said Al Knable, president of the Floyd County Commissioners.

Knable said he's interested in the allegations against Noel.

"But my immediate and ongoing concern, as a Floyd County Commissioner, is just how does that possibly impact the people of Floyd County," he said.

Noel is the CEO of New Chapel EMS and Fire, which has a contract to cover Clark and Floyd counties.

"So the first and really only thing on my mind is how do we assure the people of Floyd County that services are not going to be interrupted," Knable said.

Knable said commissioners have spent a lot of time talking to leadership at New Chapel since Wednesday's raid at Noel's house.

"And they give their assurance that they're up and they are running and they're stable," he said. "They have been answering calls since all this went down."

Noel is also named in a lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 20 former female inmates at the Clark County Jail.

"The allegations in the complaint for our clients range from emotional distress, to battery, to sexual contact to rape," said attorney William McCall.

A settlement conference in the lawsuit was held Tuesday.

"We were in mediation, or settlement, negotiations from nine until probably around four o'clock, and weren't able to settle the case," said McCall.

McCall represents 20 of the women in the lawsuit.

"The females that we represent, you know, it felt that what was being presented to them trivialized what had happened to them," he said. "And, you know, these comparisons still, two boys in the locker room or panty raid, is not what it is."

WDRB News reached out Noel's attorney, Larry Wilder. Wilder wouldn't go on camera, but said "We are reserving our statements and comments for a jury if/when they file charges."

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