Bobbi Carlton Shoffner, Embezzlement, Kentucky 2017

Bowling Green, KY – In a shocking turn of events, a former Larue County Sheriff has pleaded guilty to embezzling funds and using his public office for personal gain.

According to a recent court filing, Bobbi Carlton Shoffner, 58, of Hodgenville, Kentucky, was responsible for collecting and remitting franchise tax payments and property tax payments during his time as Sheriff in 2011 and 2012. However, Shoffner admitted in court that he embezzled $21,901 in property tax receipts between November 2011 and April 2012.

Shoffner was also responsible for collecting penalties on payments, but instead of remitting them to the county, he waived the payments in the county computer system and kept them for his own personal use, totaling $1,138. Furthermore, he used his credit card for official business to pay for $3,200 in personal expenses, including DirectTV, golf shoes, and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Additionally, Shoffner hired a relative to work in the Sheriff’s Office, paying them over $30,000 per year, despite the previous employee being paid $12/hour part-time. This resulted in a loss of $10,000 to the county.

Shoffner faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a three-year period of supervised release if convicted at trial. However, he has agreed to pay $36,239 in restitution to LaRue County, Kentucky, and a $1,000 fine at the time of sentencing.

Shoffner’s actions are a clear betrayal of the public’s trust and a disservice to the hardworking men and women of law enforcement who serve with integrity and honor. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Weiser and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Public Integrity Unit of the Office of the Kentucky Attorney General.

Shoffner is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2017, at 10am in Louisville. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions and ensuring that they serve the public, not their own self-interest.

This case highlights the need for transparency and accountability in government, and it is essential that we continue to hold our elected officials to the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

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