FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 13, 2026) – Attorney General Russell Coleman and Brandon Ison, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Carter, Elliott and Morgan counties, announced today the indictment of the former Elliott County Ambulance Service Director.
An Elliott County Grand Jury indicted Michael Burling, 40, on six felony charges including two counts of Abuse of Public Trust Over $100,000 (Class B Felony), one count of Theft By Deception Over $10,000 (Class B Felony), one count of Theft By Unlawful Taking Over $10,000 but under $1,000,000 (Class C Felony), one count of Tampering With Public Records (Class D Felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument (Class D Felony).
According to court records, the crimes occurred from January 2018 through May 2024, while Burling was the Director of the Elliott County Ambulance Service. During that time, he fraudulently used employer funds and falsified records.
The Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is specialized to conduct investigations of public corruption and the misuse of government funds. The Attorney General’s Office investigated the case.
Burling was arraigned Monday. He returns to court August 10th for a pretrial conference.
Click here for his photo.
The Kentucky Supreme Court’s rule on trial publicity limits information the Office can provide publicly.
The charges in an indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.