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topicnews · August 26, 2024

Guilty plea entered in extensive fraud investigation in Indiana

Guilty plea entered in extensive fraud investigation in Indiana

Former Clark County, Indiana, Sheriff Jamey Noel pleaded guilty to 27 of 31 charges as part of a pretrial agreement Monday, nine months after originally pleading not guilty to 15 counts, including theft and abuse of office.

The state relied on the findings of an Indiana State Police investigation and alleged that Noel used funds from a volunteer fire and rescue department he headed at the time to purchase personal items. Noel was also accused of subcontracting county employees to perform tasks related to his private classic car collection.

On Monday, four charges of bogus employment were dropped against Noel. He faces up to 15 years in prison, followed by three years probation.

Noel posted $75,000 bail in November but has been held in the Scott County Jail since April after Special Judge Larry Medlock increased his bail to $1.5 million. He was later also found guilty of contempt of court for violating a condition of his original bail, but that ruling did not affect his bail.

Noel’s wife Misty and daughter Kasey are charged with theft and tax evasion. They have both pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

Clark County Councilman John Miller and former Councilwoman Brittney Ferree are also facing charges in the case. Both are accused of voting to fund the fire and emergency services even though they themselves received services paid for with the service’s funds.

Noel also faces a number of civil lawsuits. Notably, the Indiana Attorney General has sued him to force him to repay the fire and emergency medical services department, known as New Chapel EMS, for money he allegedly spent on purchasing personal items. The children of Noel’s brother, Leon Noel, are also seeking compensation, accusing their uncle of cheating them out of their inheritance, according to Indiana State Police investigative documents.

This story will be updated.

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