State agency asking former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel to reimburse $918,000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel was asked to reimburse a state agency nearly $1 million.

Noel was arrested in November 2023 on 15 charges related to fraud, theft, misconduct, and public corruption after a nearly yearlong investigation. Another 10 charges were filed against him in early February. Those charges include theft and tax evasion. His wife, Misty Noel, was arrested on Feb. 2, and charged with five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In addition to leading the Clark County Sheriff's Office, Noel also led the Utica Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS. Recently released court documents revealed Noel charged hundreds of thousands of dollars on a Utica Fire Department credit card. He's also accused of using fire department funds to pay for child support, according to additional court documents.

The Indiana State Board of Accounts recently conducted an audit of the Clark County Sheriff's Office Jail Commissary fund. The audit covered 2015-17 and 2019-22.

The audit claims Noel was in charge of the funds and 2018 records are missing. The State Board of Accounts is now asking Noel to reimburse the commissary fund more than $918,000. That includes almost $147,000 for the cost of the audit and for money paid to a former sheriff's deputy, consultant and former Scott County Sheriff Kenneth Hughbanks.

The audit shows very little documentation for the spending from the Clark County Jail Commissary fund, which was controlled by Noel when he was in office. The audit questions purchases of military surplus vehicles later titled to New Chapel EMS, which was also led by Noel.

According to the audit, maintenance employees were paid for work performed on Noel's personal property while being paid by Clark County. It includes timecards and timestamped photos.

The audit has been sent to the state attorney general and prosecutor's offices.

Both Jamey and Misty Noel have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and are free after posting bond. A judge has set tentative trial dates for May and July of this year.

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