LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Family members of Jamey Noel said they won their civil lawsuit against the former Clark County sheriff, accusing him of taking money and property from his late brother's children.
Hope Noel, Jamey Noel's former sister-in-law, was married to his brother Leon, who died in 2018. Before he passed away from liver problems, he told Jamey Noel to handle his will, and the estate would be given to his three children.
In a civil lawsuit filed Aug. 16, 2024, in Clark Superior Court, Hope Noel and her children claimed Jamey Noel moved money around, giving some to the children but, for instance, using more than $50,000 to buy a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. That vehicle was among dozens of cars seized by Indiana State Police as part of their investigation into Jamey Noel — who was found guilty of taking millions from the departments he once led to fuel a lavish lifestyle.
The suit also claimed Jamey Noel sold his brother's home to his daughter, Kasey, at a price "well below market value" and pocketed more than $30,000 of escrow money from the property they alleged he "improperly gifted" to Kasey without reimbursing the estate for the "gift."
Hope Noel said Thursday a judge ruled in their favor, and granted a motion to pay out the estate funds to her children. Court records show the judge ordered the release of $122,000, signed Nov. 10.
Hope Noel said after fighting in court for more than a year, they are feeling "vindicated."
Jamey Noel served as Clark County Sheriff from 2015-23 and also led New Chapel Fire/EMS and the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department.
On Aug. 26, he pleaded guilty to theft, obstruction of justice, tax evasion, money laundering, corrupt business influence and official misconduct. Noel agreed to a plea deal nearly a year after he was arrested and Indiana State Police investigators raided his home in southern Indiana.Â
Jamey Noel was sentenced in Oct. 2024 to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to 27 felonies. Charges included theft, obstruction of justice, tax evasion, money laundering, corrupt business influence and official misconduct.
He's serving his 12-year prison sentence at the Indiana Department of Corrections New Castle Correctional Annex. His earliest possible release date is June 2033.
A lengthy investigation found Jamey Noel took public money for years to support a lavish lifestyle that included cars, boats, planes, tuition payments, child support and more.
As part of the plea deal, he was ordered to pay more than $3.1 million in restitution to four different public agencies:
- $2,870,924 to Utica Township Volunteers Firefighters Association (dba New Chapel EMS)
- $173,155.07 to the Indiana Department of Revenue
- $61,190.77 to the Clark County Sheriff's Department
- $35,245.60 to Indiana State PoliceÂ
To recover the funds, nearly all of Jamey Noel’s assets were ordered sold at auctions. Among the items on the block, dozens of his personal items, guns, custom suits, watches, old police cruisers and luxury vehicles.Â
In September, the former sheriff was also ordered to pay $918,000 in damages to the state of Indiana. The special judge in one of the state's civil cases against Noel said he should pay the $918,000 as punitive damages. The amount is in additional to the more than $3 million Noel agreed to pay as part of his criminal case.
This story may be updated.
Related Coverage:Â
Judge orders Jamey Noel to pay $918K in damages to the state of Indiana
Judge drops contempt hearing for Misty Noel, ending her criminal case
Utica Fire Department still reeling from Jamey Noel Scandal as debt, distrust remain
Facing prison time, Misty Noel holds herself 'accountable' for corruption scandal
Misty Noel, wife of former Clark County sheriff pleads guilty to 10 felony charges
Jamey Noel sued by Mercedes-Benz over thousands owed on leased vehicle
Jamey Noel Fallout | Corruption, betrayal and communities left in chaos
Former sheriff's crimes force property tax hikes, service cuts in Clark County
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
