JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- Indiana State Police served several search warrants Wednesday afternoon at a home owned by the former Clark County sheriff.

Crime scene tape surrounded a house on Old Tay Bridge in Jeffersonville on Wednesday, and several ISP cruisers were spotted outside. ISP spokesperson Capt. Ron Galaviz told WDRB News the agency is investigating a Clark County public official, but property records show the home is owned by former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel. 

Court records obtained by WDRB News show Noel and his wife bought the home last October, signing a 30-year mortgage. 

Galaviz said the warrants involve allegations of public corruption, tax evasion, fraud, ghost employment and official misconduct.

Current Clark County Sheriff Scottie Maples released the following statement about the investigation:

"When the people of this county elected me Sheriff, I ordered a thorough review of the office, its budget, and much more. During that review, we uncovered evidence of troubling and potentially criminal behavior during the previous administration. Because no one is above the law, I referred the evidence we uncovered to the Indiana State Police to ensure an impartial and independent investigation. We’ll continue to cooperate with the independent investigation in every way that we can. Any questions about the investigation should be directed to the Indiana State Police."

Maples, who served as chief deputy under Noel, was elected sheriff in November.

Jeffersonville firefighters were at the home Wednesday evening with chainsaws to cut through an item on Noel's property, but it's unclear what that item was. WDRB reporter Conroy Delouche reported watching boxes being removed from the home.

Noel is also the chief and CEO of New Chapel Fire and EMS, which provides services across Clark and Floyd counties. Wednesday afternoon, state police troopers also served search warrants at the station on Utica Pike in Utica, Indiana, the station on Charlestown Road in northern Floyd County, Indiana, and the station on Utica Sellersburg Road in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

New Chapel Assistant Chief Matt Owen told WDRB News that the agency is cooperating with the investigation. Owen said he doesn't foresee any changes to the operations of New Chapel Fire and EMS and that operations would continue. Troopers didn't interrupt operations during their searches Wednesday, according to Owen. 

Noel is also the chair of the Clark County Republican Party. 

WDRB News has reached out to Noel for comment, but have not yet heard back. 

This story may be updated.

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