Former Estill County clerk pleads guilty to theft and tax charges

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Friday that former Estill County Clerk Brian Crowe has pleaded guilty to felony charges related to theft and filing a false tax return.

According to a release from the Attorney General’s Office, Crowe, 57, pleaded guilty to one count of Abuse of Public Trust and one count of Willful Filing of a False Tax Return. Investigators say between January 2023 and February 2024, Crowe paid himself unauthorized extra paychecks and filed a false tax return, failing to report significant income. Crowe also agreed to a five-year sentence.

Under the plea agreement, Crowe agreed to a five-year sentence and will be required to pay nearly $80,000 in restitution to the Estill Fiscal Court, along with additional restitution to the Kentucky State Treasury.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 23.