The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission is extending its investigation into Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita following allegations of potential perjury related to a previous disciplinary complaint settlement. The commission is delving deeper into grievances filed by attorneys Bill Groth and Paula Cardoza-Jones, with the investigation possibly resulting in new disciplinary charges against Rokita. The grievances stem from his public reprimand for misconduct during an investigation into Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an Indianapolis OB/GYN. Rokita’s post-reprimand statement, in which he denied violating any laws and blamed liberal activists, further fueled the investigation.
Rokita has been represented by Schaerr Jaffe, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm, as well as Indianapolis attorney James Ammeen, both at the expense of Indiana taxpayers. The contracts cap legal fees at $1.1 million for Schaerr Jaffe and $100,000 for Ammeen, which have raised concerns about taxpayer funds being used to defend Rokita in a disciplinary case. Grievances filed against Ammeen and the Schaerr Jaffe partners by Cardoza-Jones were dismissed in February.
The Indiana Attorney General’s office stated they were unaware of the investigation and could not comment. Rokita’s responses to the grievances have not been made public, but the commission’s executive director has indicated the existence of “reasonable cause” to believe he violated professional rules. Unless granted additional time by the Indiana Supreme Court, the investigation must be completed by mid-November this year.
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