CLARK COUNTY, Ind. — The Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association is attempting to regain control of credit accounts that were drained of $5 million by its former chief and his family.
A complaint for declaratory relief was filed Friday in Clark County Superior Court by attorney Heather Peters on behalf of the UTVFA. Despite being arrested and facing numerous felony charges, former chief Jamey Noel still has access to the credit cards associated with the department, according to the complaint.
Noel, the former Clark County sheriff, also ran the UTVFA for years until he was removed in January. The department made "numerous attempts" to gain control of the accounts, but since Noel is listed as the primary card holder, those attempts have not been successful.
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Noel directed the companies of each card or account - an American Express business card and a Synchrony Bank account - to directly debit all payments due and owing from the UTVFA's bank account.
Jamey Noel, his wife Misty Noel and their daughter Kasey Noel all face multiple felony charges. In total, the family is accused of spending upwards of $5 million of UTVFA funds on themselves.
"We have repeatedly asked Jamey to turn over the cards to us and he has refused," UTVFA CEO Matt Owen said Monday. "He was no longer an employee with UTVFA starting in January, so we're officially asking for reimbursement of any purchases he made using them since January 2024."
Owen said the lawsuit could expand to include multiple years-worth of charges, potentially the full amount ISP have accused Noel of spending on himself.
The complaint also says UTVFA can't issue a stop payment order on the accounts without causing harm to its credit score and purchasing ability. The department can't stop debits from the account since it has no access.
Owen said American Express will not speak to anyone other than Jamey since he is the cardholder. He's urging a judge to order the company to drop him from the account.
Owen said there's a balance on the card, but would not provide an amount.
The lawsuit asks the court to remove Noel from the accounts and hold him liable for all charges dating back to January.
Jamey Noel is facing 25 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment and official misconduct. Indiana State Police opened an investigation 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.
He is also accused of orchestrating a vehicle buying, selling and trading scheme involving vehicles registered to the UTVFA, and in multiple cases, pocketing money from sales and trades. He pleaded not guilty.
In January, court documents revealed charges over $730,000 were made to one card and $4.1 million in charges were made to another. Those charges made by Jamey and his family were described as personal in nature.
A more detailed breakdown of the charges was provided last week by lead investigator Lt. Jeffrey Hearon.
Jamey is accused of spending $213,000 on clothing, $75,000 on alcohol and tobacco, $162,000 on education and tuition, and $4,500 on guns, among other items.
Misty is accused of spending $125,000 on beauty, $165,000 on clothing and $132,000 on retail stores, among other charges.
Kasey is accused of spending $11,000 on food and $29,000 on clothing, among other charges.
Misty was charged with five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion -- all felonies. She pleaded not guilty.
Kasey was charged with five counts of felony theft and four counts of felony tax evasion. She also pleaded not guilty.
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