LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kenneth Hughbanks, the former Scott County Sheriff who served for eight months in 2018, now officially has an attorney on the record in his civil lawsuit with Jamey Noel and Auto-Owners Insurance.
James A. Shoaf, an attorney based in Columbus, Ind., filed an appearance on behalf of Hughbanks Tuesday in Clark County Circuit Court. Hughbanks was the last of nine recent defendants in civil lawsuits that sprung out of the Jamey Noel investigation to enter an attorney appearance.
According to Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita's office, Hughbanks had until June 7 to enter an appearance. WHAS11 called Shoaf after normal business hours Tuesday to ask for comment and there was no answer.
Hughbanks is said to have received over $200,000 from the Clark County jail commissary fund during Jamey Noel's tenure as sheriff. Indiana State Police believe Noel and Hughbanks were associates or friends, and Noel helped Hughbanks become sheriff in 2018.
Hughbanks is not charged with anything criminally.
CASE BACKGROUND
Jamey Noel is facing 25 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment and official misconduct. The ISP investigation began in June 2023 following allegations that Noel directed jail staff to work on his personal property and run his personal errands while on county time.
His wife Misty Noel is facing 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.
Daughter Kasey Noel is facing nine felonies; five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion.
According to previous court documents, Hearon found millions of dollars of personal purchases made by all three on Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards. He also stated they failed to disclose income on their taxes over a five-year span.
Jamey ran UTVFA until January when he was ousted by the board.
In March, investigators uncovered over $100,000 in tuition and education-related payments were made from the cards by Jamey and Misty. Hearon asked a judge for permission to search Indiana University records regarding Josey and Gracy Noel -- Jamey and Misty's other daughters who are currently enrolled at IU campuses.
In April, ISP said the family spent over $300,000 on vacations using fire department funds without reimbursement. Noel was ordered to serve 60 days in jail on April 9 after a judge found him in contempt of court for having firearms in his home in violation of his bond conditions.
The investigation also uncovered Jamey fathered a child with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and paid child support payments with UTVFA funds.
Jamey Noel's vast automobile collection has been under scrutiny by investigators since the beginning of the investigation.
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