CLARK COUNTY, Ind. — The Indiana State Board of Accounts is asking former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel to pay back millions of dollars in "unlawful" charges it said he made during his time running a non-profit fire and EMS service.
Noel is currently in jail on a contempt of court charge and is awaiting trial on 25 felony counts. The SBA is also asking his wife, Misty Noel, and their daughter, Kasey Noel, to pay back smaller amounts from purchases made with Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards.
All three were charged with multiple felonies and are awaiting trial. They pleaded not guilty.
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The SBA released a 53-page audit Monday detailing spending on UTVFA American Express and Synchrony Bank credit cards by each family member, but primarily Jamey. The audit covered the time period between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2023.
Most of the findings appear to confirm information released by Indiana State Police over the past several months during its investigation, which began last June, and previously reported by WHAS11.
The SBA concluded Noel family members racked up the following amount of "unlawful" charges:
- Jamey Noel: $3,494,571.95
- Misty Noel: $663,211.92
- Kasey Noel: $109,361.32
Read the entire audit below. Mobile users may need to click here.
A full breakdown of charges was provided, showing the Noels spent UTVFA funds on everything from vacations, cigars and suits, to college tuition and concerts. ISP Lt. Jeffrey Hearon, the lead investigator on the case, previously released many of these findings and figures.
A few new findings were revealed however. According to the audit, Jamey made $20,518.72 in political donations through an online fundraising platform with the American Express card. He also charged $4,516.40 to buy four firearms for himself.
The Noels were asked to repay the amounts deemed unlawful. Jamey was also asked to pay $168,821.53 for investigation costs.
The report also examined UTVFA's role in allowing the activity to happen.
"New Chapel EMS had no board oversight or suitable restrictions for Jamey Noel's spending on the account for the entirety of the examination period," a passage from the reports states.
The report acknowledged the board has taken "several corrective actions" over the past several months, including enacting new bylaws and appointing new board members.
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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.
Kasey Noel is facing nine felonies; five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion.
RELATED: Indiana State Police: Jamey Noel and family spent $300,000 on vacations using fire department funds
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.
According to court documents, 133 vehicles are registered to the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS. A review of those vehicles showed several were "inconsistent" with a not-for-profit fire department and EMS business.
Jamey is accused of orchestrating a vehicle trading and selling scheme where he traded in several cars registered to the UTVFA for vehicles he then registered to himself for personal use. In some cases, he allegedly sold them and pocketed the money.
Court documents released in early March indicated 26 containers of military surplus equipment belonging to the Clark County Sheriff's Office were found on a property in Deputy, Indiana. Hearon alleged Noel sold multiple items belonging to the sheriff's office and sold them for personal gain.
The investigation has also focused on former Scott County Sheriff Kenneth Hughbanks, a friend and associate of Jamey's. Hearon said Hughbanks failed to report over $200,000 in income on his taxes. He has not been charged.