Trial set for former Corbin Housing Authority director accused of theft

A jury trial has been set for the former Corbin Housing Authority director accused of taking more than $100,000 in housing authority funds over a three-year period.

Samuel McCoy, 49, appeared in Whitley Circuit Court on Monday for a status hearing, where prosecutors asked for a jury trial date to be scheduled. McCoy’s attorney asked that the trial date be set after the first of the year in hopes that the case could be resolved beforehand.

Prosecutors and McCoy’s defense team have been attempting to reach an agreement in the case via mediation, though have yet to be able to come to terms on one.

A jury trial date was scheduled for February 26, 2024. If the case goes to trial, prosecutors said that it is expected to take three days.

McCoy faces a variety of charges in connection to the alleged thefts.

He was indicted in June 2021 on charges of theft by deception $10,000 or more, theft by deception over $500 but less than $10,000, abuse of the public trust, and second-degree forgery. He was again indicted in November 2021 on charges of fraudulent use of a credit card over $10,000 within six months, and for fraud by authorized persons, business organizations or financial institutions over $10,000 over a six-month period. From April 2018 through April 2021, McCoy allegedly used a Mastercard, which had been legally issued to the Corbin Housing Authority, to obtain merchandise and services of the value of $10,000 or more over a six-month period, according to the indictment.

According to his indictments, between April 2018 through April 2021, McCoy allegedly used a Mastercard, which had been legally issued to the Corbin Housing Authority, to obtain merchandise and services of the value of $10,000 or more over a six-month period, according to the indictment.

During that same time period, he allegedly unlawfully acquired goods and services with a credit card he was not authorized to use for personal gain and he allegedly did so with the intent to defraud the Corbin Housing Authority.

McCoy allegedly took unapproved salary and lived in an apartment at the housing authority for free without approval and gave himself about a $40,000 a year raise without board approval. The free rent accounted for about $17,000 of the alleged theft. He also allegedly falsified and forged documents for personal monetary gain.

McCoy was terminated from his position as director in April 2021—one that he had held for more than five years—for unrelated reasons. Following his departure, an interim director found a number of inconsistencies in the housing authority’s ledgers.

In total, McCoy is accused of taking $119,629.53.

He was arrested in June 2021 following his first indictment, but is currently out on bond.