The Clinton County Commissioners are calling for the immediate resignation of Sheriff Richard Kelly and Jail Matron Ashley Kelly following last week’s court ruling that found both personally liable for the misappropriation of more than $329,000 in public funds.
On September 17, the Clinton Circuit Court granted summary judgment in favor of the State of Indiana and against Sheriff Richard Kelly, Ashley Kelly, and Leonne, LLC. The ruling concluded that Kelly and his wife, Ashley, funneled profits from the Clinton County Jail Commissary into their private business, Leonne, LLC, without the legally required approval of the county fiscal body. Between 2019 and 2021, more than $219,000 in commissary funds were improperly issued to the Kellys, in addition to audit costs of nearly $110,000.
“The court’s findings make it clear that public trust has been broken,” said Jordan Brewer, President of the Clinton County Commissioners. “When elected officials and those entrusted with public funds abuse that responsibility, they forfeit their right to continue serving in positions of authority. For the good of the Sheriff’s Office and the people of Clinton County, Sheriff Kelly and Matron Kelly should resign immediately.”
The Commissioners emphasized that the ruling follows years of litigation and repeated findings in both trial and appellate courts that Sheriff Kelly acted outside his authority in managing commissary funds.
“This is not about politics—it is about accountability,” County Commissioner Bert Weaver added. “Our residents deserve leaders who uphold the law and safeguard taxpayer dollars. The only path forward is for both Richard and Ashley Kelly to step down.”
The Commissioners said they will work with county legal counsel and state officials to ensure that appropriate oversight is restored to the Sheriff’s Office and that safeguards are in place to prevent future misuse of commissary funds.