(Rising Sun/Lawrenceburg, IN) – Former Rising Sun Police Chief Harlis Hoover, Jr. has been sentenced to 730 days with 686 suspended to probation.
Hoover was arrested in November 2023 on 17 felony charges, including Bribery, Official Misconduct, Fraud, Theft and Ghost Employment.
He pled guilty recently to Official Misconduct and Ghost Employment (both Level 6 felonies).
The other 15 counts were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.
Hoover also received time off for days served and good behavior.
He will serve the remaining days of his sentence on weekends at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.
Indiana State Police detectives began investigating Hoover in July 2023 after a concerned citizen reported that he may have been defrauded by the former chief.
In December 2021, Hoover allegedly borrowed $10,000 from the man to purchase an automobile.
State police say there was no evidence Hoover purchased the vehicle, and – while in his role as Rising Sun Police Chief – he allegedly convinced the man to forgive the loan.
Investigators say it was determined that Hoover borrowed money to buy other vehicles, and there were no indications the automobiles were purchased and the money was not repaid.
Detectives say in two cases, Hoover allegedly purchased and sold vehicles for profit without ever signing the titles. Other instances of fraud, theft, and official misconduct were allegedly uncovered during the investigation.
ISP says multiple instances of ghost employment by Hoover were uncovered during the investigation where he was allegedly taking care of personal business, often outside of Ohio County, while claiming to be on duty in Rising Sun at the time.
Hoover was placed on administrative leave in the summer of 2023 before his employment was terminated.
The case was handed over to the Dearborn-Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office for review before Hoover’s arrest last November.
