Attorney General Facing Civil Lawsuit
(photo courtesy of Eric Berman/WIBC)
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is facing a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday by four women who have accused him of inappropriately touching them during a party. Our partners at WTHR-TV report the civil lawsuit includes claims of unlawful sexual harassment, employee discrimination and retaliation, among others.
Both Hill and the state of Indiana are listed as defendants in the suit. State Representative Mara Candelaria Reardon (D-Munster) and legislative staffers Niki DaSilva, Samantha Lozano and Gabrielle McLemore allege Hill groped them last year at an Indianapolis bar during a gathering to mark the end of the legislative session.
Hill has repeatedly denied the claims and said he would not resign from his position, despite calls to do so from Governor Eric Holcomb and others. A special prosecutor, Dan Sigler, was appointed to investigate the claims and in October declined to file charges of battery or sexual battery, citing insufficient evidence.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages from Hill and the state, the amount of which would be determined at trial. It also asks the court to force Hill to retract and/or apologize for all statements made against the women, according to WTHR. The plaintiffs are also seeking protections for staffers and lawmakers.
"When an elected official betrays the public trust in such an egregious way so as to commit sexual battery and assault, and doesn’t have the honor to resign to maintain the dignity of the office there have to be consequences for those actions. And there have to be options to hold him accountable." Rep. Reardon said Tuesday.
In addition to the lawsuit, Hill is facing possible sanctions from the Indiana Supreme Court after a complaint was filed by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. WTHR reports a hearing in October could result in sanctions up to disbarment as an attorney.
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office released a statement Tuesday saying it would vigorously defend the state and Hill against the allegations.
"The lawsuit is related to allegations that have now been reviewed four times. The investigations all concluded without any recommendations for further action."