Lauren Roberts Speaks Out After Controversial Removal from City-County Council Meeting
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Lauren Roberts, the first to accuse former aide to Mayor Joe Hogsett, Thomas Cook, of sexual misconduct, is making headlines after being forcibly removed from a City-County Council meeting on Monday. The incident occurred when council President Vop Osili ordered her removal for allegedly exceeding her two-minute public comment limit during a session discussing misconduct allegations in the Hogsett administration.
Roberts claims she was interrupted multiple times and insists she did not finish her comments, stating, “I kept saying, ‘Don’t put your hands on me. Stop.’” She described the removal as physically painful, noting bruises on her arms. In a subsequent statement, Osili expressed regret over the way the situation was handled, acknowledging the trauma it caused and admitting he should have paused the meeting.
Despite this, Roberts criticized Osili for not reaching out to her personally, labeling his public statement insincere. She hopes his actions will be remembered in any future political ambitions he may have. “The best apology has changed behavior,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Roberts is considering legal action, stating she has retained an attorney to discuss her options. The ongoing discussions regarding harassment policies in the council demonstrate a commitment to addressing the broader issues of misconduct within the city government, as indicated by the council’s recent engagement with an investigative law firm.
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