BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

FRANKFORT — Former Lawrence County Attorney Michael T. Hogan and his wife Joy Hogan, who served as his legal secretary, pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud in U.S. District Court. Michael Hogan also pleaded guilty to federal program theft.

The Hogans admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud by issuing “bonus” checks to Joy Hogan, signed by Michael Hogan, from delinquent tax funds that were intended to pay for operations of the county attorney’s office.

Those checks were deposited into the Hogans’ joint accounts and used for personal expenses.

Over seven years, from 2013 to 2020, Michael Hogan paid Joy Hogan more than $365,000 in bonuses.