Trials Set for Hopkinsville Solid Waste Employees
A federal judge scheduled two trials for April 2027 concerning allegations of embezzlement and unpaid overtime.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Financial Crime
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U.S. District Judge Benjamin Beaton issued orders setting two trials for 2027 involving the Hopkinsville Solid Waste Enterprise. The cases center on civil allegations regarding suppressed embezzlement schemes and failures in overtime compensation.
Why it matters
These upcoming proceedings will resolve allegations involving two former employees, Jonathan Craig Hawkins and Timothy Brian Shepherd, Jr. The legal outcome will address disputes over labor practices and financial management within the organization.
A jury trial for the first case is set for April 12, 2027, in Paducah, followed by a bench trial beginning April 19, 2027, in Louisville. Final witness and exhibit lists are required by the court no later than January 12, 2027.
The players
Benjamin Beaton
He is a U.S. District Judge serving within the Western District of Kentucky.
Jonathan Craig Hawkins
He is a former employee of the Hopkinsville Solid Waste Enterprise named in the civil suit.
Timothy Brian Shepherd, Jr.
He is a former employee of the Hopkinsville Solid Waste Enterprise named in the civil suit.
Hopkinsville Solid Waste Enterprise
This organization is the subject of a civil lawsuit regarding its former employees.
The details
The civil suit targets former employees Jonathan Craig Hawkins and Timothy Brian Shepherd, Jr. regarding their conduct at the Hopkinsville Solid Waste Enterprise. Parties must provide expert disclosures by December 1, 2026, to prepare for the proceedings.
Timeline
August 26, 2026: Judge Beaton issued the scheduling orders.
December 1, 2026: Deadline for expert disclosures.
January 12, 2027: Deadline for filing witness and exhibit lists.
April 12, 2027: Jury trial begins in Paducah.
April 19, 2027: Bench trial begins in Louisville.
Legal Context
This litigation follows the regulatory patterns established by the Fair Labor Standards Act, which mandates specific overtime protections for employees. The case highlights how federal courts navigate disputes involving labor compensation and corporate financial integrity.
Residents in the area may observe increased federal court activity as these cases proceed toward their respective trial dates in 2027. The legal outcome may clarify local standards for financial transparency and employee compensation policies within municipal enterprises.
The takeaway
These trials will serve as a definitive test of the allegations against the former employees involved in the enterprise. Interested parties should monitor the court's January 2027 deadline for witness lists to see which evidence will be presented.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit Financial Crime.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKDZ.
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