Lawrence County attorney, wife indicted on federal charges

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LEXINGTON —Lawrence County Attorney Michael Hogan and his wife, Joy, were indicted Thursday on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and federal program theft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lexington.

Michael Hogan, 53, is charged with nine counts of wire fraud and five counts of federal program theft. Joy Hogan, 41, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The indictment alleges that the Hogans conspired with each other 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 personal residence, a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The indictment alleges that Michael Hogan and Joy Hogan would routinely prepare “bonus” checks issued to her and signed by him, paid with delinquent tax funds that should have been used on operating expenses for the Lawrence County Attorney’s Office, the release said.

The Hogans deposited these checks in Joy Hogan’s personal account and the couple’s joint accounts, and spent the funds on personal expenses, the release said. The indictment alleges that between March 8, 2013, and April 30, 2020, Michael Hogan paid his wife more than $365,000 from the Lawrence County Delinquent Tax Account.

The indictment also alleges that Michael Hogan defrauded the Lawrence County Child Support Enforcement Office, part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the release said.

“It is alleged Hogan billed the program for far more hours than he actually worked,” the release said. “It is also alleged Michael Hogan paid employees working for his private law firm with funds from the Child Support Enforcement Office.”

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI and KSP. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Smith.

Michael Hogan’s initial appearance is June 9 at 11 a.m., and Joy Hogan is scheduled to appear on Friday, June 11, at 1 p.m., the release said.

On the wire fraud charges, they face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000 or twice the amount of gain or loss.

On the federal program theft charges, Michael Hogan faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.

Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.