Trial date set for KY judge accused of stealing $400,000 with fake employee on payroll
A Kentucky judge accused of stealing more than $400,000 in government funds had a trial date set for this summer during an initial appearance Friday in federal court.
Pike County Circuit Judge Howard Keith Hall is faces two counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of government funds.
According to Hall’s indictment, he hired a part-time county attorney during his time as the Pike County prosecutor and paid the part-time attorney $440,587, including gross pay and benefits, despite the part-time attorney performing almost no work for Hall’s office.
The indictment also alleges Hall claimed to work at the part-time attorney’s private firm.
Hall made his first appearance in federal court Friday in Lexington. He pleaded not guilty, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Stinnett scheduled his trial for July 14 in Frankfort before Judge Gregory VanTatenhove.
Kate Smith, representing the United States in the case, told Stinnett she expects the trial to last one week.
In a statement to the Herald-Leader, Hall’s lawyer, Guthrie True, said Hall disputes the allegations of the indictment.
“Judge Hall has been a faithful servant of the people of Pike County for decades and takes personal offense at the false allegations. We intend to vigorously contest the allegations at trial and look forward to the opportunity to do so,” True said in the statement.
The mail fraud charges in the indictment carry a maximum sentence of 20 years each, while the theft charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The indictment also includes a forfeiture count under which the government will try to get back the amount of money Hall allegedly stole if he is convicted.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 11:07 AM.
