A former eastern Kentucky prosecutor and his wife have pled guilty to federal wire fraud charges.
The former County Attorney for Lawrence County, Michael T. Hogan, 53, and his wife and legal secretary, Joy M. Hogan, 41, pled guilty in U.S. District Court, prosecutors said. Michael Hogan also pled guilty to federal program theft.
According to the Hogans’ plea agreements, they 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 monthly statements were mailed to the Hogans’ residence.
The Hogans would routinely prepare “bonus” checks issued to Joy Hogan, and signed by her husband, that came from delinquent tax funds that should have been used on operating expenses for the Lawrence County Attorney’s Office, according to the U.S. Attorney.
The Hogans deposited these checks in Joy Hogan’s personal account and the couple’s joint accounts and spent the funds on personal expenses.
Michael Hogan, who served five terms as Lawrence Co. Attorney, admitted he personally benefited from these payments and knew some of the payments 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.
Additionally, Michael Hogan admitted to defrauding the Lawrence County Child Support Enforcement Office, part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. According to the plea agreement, Hogan billed the program for more hours than he actually worked.
The Hogans were indicted on the charges in June 2021. Joy Hogan faces up to 20 years in prison while her husband faces up to 30 years.
Sentencing is scheduled for July.
(Photo of Joy and Michael Hogan courtesy of The Levisa Lazer)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
