The FBI is investigating after the Kentucky’s Auditor of Public Accounts found that an eastern Kentucky County Attorney gave his wife bonuses totaling over $100,000 in a two year period.
The audit found that Lawrence County Attorney Mike Hogan gave $134,500 in bonuses to staff members between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019. The bonuses were paid with delinquent tax fees. The audit uncovered that Hogan gave his wife, a legal secretary in his office, $126,500.
The audit also discovered that Hogan used public funds to pay for advertisement for his private practice.
Auditor Mike Harmon’s office said awarding bonuses from public funds runs counter to the state Constitution, and could violate local ethics statutes.
The FBI, the IRS, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, the Kentucky Revenue Department, and the Lawrence County Ethics Board have all been notified of the findings.
Late last week, Katie Anderson, a spokeswoman for the FBI, confirmed agents were “conducting judicially authorized activity” at the Lawrence County child support office, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Hogan has been Lawrence County Attorney since 2003, and ran unsuccessfully for Lt. Governor on Rep. Robert Goforth’s ticket last year.
(Photo courtesy of the Lexington Herald-Leader)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
