Indianapolis Councilor Accuses Leaders of Tampering with Harassment Investigation
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — During a heated Administration and Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Crista Carlino accused prominent city officials of distorting an ongoing harassment investigation. Carlino, who co-authored the original legislation aimed at investigating allegations of misconduct within city government, revealed her concerns regarding the narrowing scope that appeared focused solely on Thomas Cook, a former aide to Mayor Joe Hogsett facing multiple sexual harassment allegations.
“Earlier this year, it became evident that the investigation was limited to just Thomas Cook,” Carlino stated. Her comments followed a tumultuous council meeting in June, where Council President Vop Osili faced backlash for silencing Lauren Roberts, the first accuser against Cook. Following pressure from council members, Roberts’s ally, De’Andre Barker, also shared his account of harassment during Tuesday’s hearing.
Carlino, who chairs the council’s Investigative Committee, called for Mayor Hogsett and council leaders Osili and Ali Brown to resign from their positions, citing a lack of integrity in the investigation’s handling. In response, both Osili and Brown refuted her claims, asserting they did not influence the investigation’s scope.
Carlino, a sexual misconduct survivor herself, expressed pain from re-traumatization due to this situation and hinted at personal challenges after losing her job shortly after taking her role on the committee. The council is expected to revisit a proposal to allocate $300,000 for Fisher Phillips, the law firm conducting the investigation, at its next meeting on July 7.
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