FRANKFORT — Former Lawrence County Attorney Michael T. Hogan and his wife and legal secretary Joy M. Hogan were sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for wire fraud and federal program theft.
Michael Hogan was sentenced to 42 months and Joy Hogan was sentenced to 12 months and one day by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove for wire fraud. Michael was also sentenced for federal program theft.
According to court records, the Hogans conspired to commit wire fraud by issuing checks from a second delinquent tax account for the Lawrence County Attorney’s Office, the statements for which went to their residence. The two would routinely prepare “bonus” checks issued to Joy, and signed by Michael, paid with delinquent tax funds that should have been used on operating expenses for the Lawrence County Attorney’s Office. The Hogans deposited these checks in Joy’s personal account and the couple’s joint accounts and spent the money on personal expenses.
Michael Hogan admitted he benefited from these payments and knew some were not reasonable in amount nor beneficial to the public.
According to the indictment, between March 8, 2013, and April 30, 2020, Michael Hogan paid Joy Hogan more than $365,000 from the Lawrence County Delinquent Tax Account.
Michael Hogan also admitted to defrauding the Lawrence County Child Support Enforcement Office, part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. According to his plea agreement, Hogan billed the program for more hours than he worked.
“Michael Hogan turned to his own self-interests and used taxpayer money for his and his wife’s personal benefit,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “As an elected County Attorney, he was responsible for upholding the law; instead, he brazenly broke it at the expense of those who elected him. His conduct will leave lasting damage, both from the theft and from the resulting loss of faith in government officials and law enforcement. His prosecution and sentence are the first steps in the effort to restore that faith.”
Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI’s Louisville Field Office said public corruption erodes the people’s trust in government officials and fuels divisiveness in the community.
“We have been crystal clear that corruption, at any level, will not be tolerated in Kentucky, ” Cohen said. “No one is above the law and the victim of this crime, the people of Kentucky, deserve better. Today’s sentence demonstrates that the FBI, and its law enforcement partners, will hold those who violate the public’s trust accountable for their actions.”
As part of his plea agreement, Michael Hogan agreed to resign as the Lawrence County Attorney.
The Hogans pleaded guilty in March.
