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Indiana AG sues former sheriff Jamey Noel and family for $3.1 million, asks to freeze all assets

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a new civil lawsuit against Noel, his wife, his three daughters and UTVFA board member Kevin Wilkerson.

CLARK COUNTY, Ind. — There are now two civil lawsuits against Jamey Noel, his family and past business associate to repay over $4 million that was allegedly taken from either the Clark County Sheriff's Office or Noel's publicly-funded fire and EMS companies.

The first lawsuit was reported Friday, and was filed against Noel, former Scott County Sheriff Kenneth Hughbanks, and Auto-Owners Insurance. Auto-Owners Insurance is not owned or operated by Noel or Hughbanks, but Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita says Noel used bonds from the insurance company to pay for vehicles.

On Wednesday, court employees released details of a second lawsuit also filed Friday against Jamey Noel, his wife Misty Noel, their daughters Gracy, Kasey and Josey; and Kevin Wilkerson, who is a current employee of Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association (UTVFA).

This new lawsuit asks the defendants to repay over $3.1 million they allegedly took from the UTVFA and spent on personal items. 

The attorney general also asked for a temporary restraining order, barring all defendants except Wilkerson from selling their homes or liquidating their assets. 

Rokita's office says there is evidence Kasey began the process of selling her house on Old Salem Road, and Misty has taken steps to try and sell at least 21 vehicles which she either co-owns with Jamey or on behalf of Jamey. 

Judge Larry Medlock, who is the special judge assigned in Jamey, Misty and Kasey's criminal cases, has been assigned to the bench for both of these lawsuits. 

Jamey was ordered to appear in Washington County Court on May 20. 

He is facing 25 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment and official misconduct. 

RELATED: Indiana Attorney General asks judge to freeze all of former sheriff Jamey Noel's assets

RELATED: New documents: Jamey Noel used fire department funds on Corvette, gave gifts to Clark County chief deputy auditor

Watch the WHAS11 special report on the Noel investigation:

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.

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.

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