Paul-Hart Questions Indy Mayor Investigation
INDIANAPOLIS — The City-County Council approved over $250,000 to hire a Chicago law firm to investigate sexual harassment claims involving a former aide to Mayor Joe Hogsett. But questions have come up about how the investigation report was handled before the council agreed to pay for it.
Republican Councilor Michael Paul-Hart says he doesn’t expect Mayor Hogsett to step down no matter what the investigation shows.
“Joe Hogsett has made it clear he is not resigning,” Hart told WIBC’s Tony Katz. “He’s out at fundraisers, dancing at Juneteenth parties, marching in parades, and even if all 25 councilors asked him to leave, he’s not going anywhere.”
Hart said he doesn’t agree with how the mayor has handled the situation but warned that focusing on party politics won’t help the people he represents on the east side of Indianapolis.
“If I call for his resignation, I would be less effective as a councilor,” he said.
The investigation comes after Democratic Councilor Crista Carlino stepped down from some committee roles after calling for Hogsett to resign. She is still part of the Democratic group on the council.
Hart also raised concerns about how the investigation was run. He said Carlino, who leads the committee looking into the mayor’s role, accepted the report from the law firm Fisher Phillips before the council approved payment. That raises questions about the process, openness, and fairness.
“In every place I’ve worked, I don’t let people see my final work before it’s finished,” Hart said. “Fisher Phillips gave them the report the same day they finished and left. The committee had no chance to read the report, ask questions, or point out missing information before the final meeting.”
Hart added that Carlino didn’t let important questions be asked, didn’t bring the committee back for another meeting, and didn’t use the committee’s power to demand documents or testimony.
