Once revered in the public eye, ex-Councilwoman of Clark County, Brittney Ferree, recently altered her plea to guilty on one count of ‘conflict of interest’, a Level 6 felony. The decision, made in the Clark County Circuit Court, stems from her involvement in the investigation concerning Jamey Noel. Her arrest took place in August of the preceding year, and since then, the courtroom saga has gripped the county.
The trial concluded with a judgement that spared Ferree from prison. Instead, Special Judge Larry Medlock handed out a more lenient sentence, opting for probation over imprisonment. For the next two years, Ferree will commence a probationary period, coupled with a financial responsibility of $2,000 for an imposed fine. This sanction also includes an additional $189 she has to cover for court costs.
Judge Medlock, during the sentencing, reminded Ferree of her duty and responsibility as a public figure. The lawman did not mince his words as he said, ‘As a public official, you carried the weight of public trust, a trust you confessed to violating today. It becomes challenging for the community to maintain faith in the government when its representatives fail to conduct themselves with integrity, loyalty, and principle.’
Instructive in nature, the plea agreement unwaveringly insisted on no jail time for Ferree. During her moment of professing her side of the story, Brittney shed light on her personal circumstances as she asserted, ‘Being a single mother comes with an immense degree of responsibility as I’m the primary caregiver of our son. I don’t have a history of stirring up trouble, I plead for your understanding.’
Commanded to reflect on her experiences and lessons, Ferree admitted her mistake, saying, ‘One should not place their trust in another solely because they hold a position in law enforcement.’ This mockery of trust presumed a significant role in her legal turmoil, as court files revealed that she received over $104,971.51 as child support from Noel, paid with stolen money of Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association (UTVFA).
Mired in this scandal was Jamey Noel, the father of Ferree’s child and the CEO of UTVFA for an extended period. Noel’s dual roles extended to serving as Clark County’s sheriff. His connection with Ferree’s son became a pivotal factor in deciding upon the final sentence.
Aside from their personal relationship, Noel and Ferree extravagantly exploited public funds for their shared leisure. Documented evidence indicates at least three instances where the pair traveled together on taxpayers’ funds. The destinations included New York City in April 2019, Tampa in May 2022, and New Orleans in July 2022.
Details highlighted in the case records unravel the extent of their misuse of UTVFA’s resources that were doled out to Ferree by Noel. The total expense for the airfare alone for these outings amounted to $2,030.06. But the allegations don’t end at their travel expenses. According to Hearon, Ferree unrestrainedly received a staggering total of $114,070 from UTVFA’s coffers, courtesy of Noel. The sum factored in child support and other undisclosed expenses.
Interestingly, the investigation also threw a spotlight on an upscale BMW that Ferree received as a supposedly generous gift from Noel. Although the vehicle itself was an object of contention, what incriminated Ferree further was her lack of forthrightness about her relationship with Noel whilst making official decisions related to UTVFA.
While she was a councilwoman, Ferree routinely made decisions on ordinances involving UTVFA without once revealing her connection to Noel. Her silence on the matter painted an ethically questionable image and led to the conflict of interest charge.
Jamey Noel, on the other hand, faced severe penalties for his actions. Convicted on 27 felony counts, Noel was sentenced to 12 years’ incarceration. Along with prison time, he was directed to repay approximately $3 million in restitution. This sum encompassed the child support payments that had lined Ferree’s pockets.
Noel’s admission of guilt confirmed he not only financed his personal lifestyle and Ferree’s expenses, but also awarded significant sums to his family and friends from UTVFA’s funds. His method involved the liberal use of company credit cards for these transactions. This misappropriation showcased an unpardonable level of financial misconduct for personal gain.
This case paints a grim picture of a breach of public trust by individuals occupying positions of power and authority. It also provides a lesson on the importance of transparency and adherence to principles, especially by public officials, in maintaining public trust.
Unfortunately, the consequences of their actions extended beyond their personal lives and those directly connected to them. The scandal has no doubt shaken the community’s faith in their leaders and provoked thoughts on the integrity of public service.
As the scandal dust settles, those involved must now face the repercussions of their actions; a story that began as a public service career ended with bleak convictions and tarnished reputations. However, the community can now begin its journey towards rebuilding trust in its public officials, guided by the firm hope that such misconduct won’t happen in the future.