13 Complaints Filed Through Indy’s New Anonymous System
Source: Ryan Hedrick/WIBC / Ryan Hedrick/WIBC
INDIANAPOLIS—City leaders say they’ve received 13 complaints through their anonymous reporting system, established after a sexual harassment investigation at City Hall. The investigation included allegations against Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former top aide, Thomas Cook.
At a City-County Council meeting on Wednesday, Republican City-County Council Minority Leader Brian Mowery, who sits on the investigative committee investigating the harassment claims, expressed concern, stating, “In 13 days, having 13 complaints, that’s bad. Granted, they do have to be investigated to see the validity of those complaints, but it’s still concerning.”
The anonymous reporting system, Speakfully, is a 24/7 third-party workplace reporting platform and hotline. Brandon Beeler, the City of Indianapolis’ Corporation Counsel, explained that the complaints involve concerns and formal grievances. Concerns typically involve issues with a supervisor that may not rise to the level of a policy violation.
Twana Ellis, the city’s Human Resources Director, explained that complaints can come in through phone calls or online reports. “If it’s just a concern, it goes to the employee relations portion, and they follow up accordingly,” she said. If a complaint is more serious, it triggers a formal investigation involving gathering information through questioning.
The public cannot see which city government offices receive the most complaints. City leaders say they cannot disclose that information as the Corporation Counsel and Human Resources continue to review the cases.
