WHITESTOWN, Ind. -- Whitestown Clerk Treasurer Amanda Andrews has hired an attorney, at taxpayer expense, to make sure she’s fulfilling her duties as an elected official.
Andrews drew criticism earlier this year from citizens and council members after she stopped showing up for work at town hall while still collecting a paycheck from taxpayers.
Call 6 Investigates has learned Andrews hired attorney Andrew Thompson at an hourly rate of $180, and the attorney has billed the town of Whitestown $1,350 to date.
By statute, the clerk-treasurer is permitted to hire an attorney for up to $5,000 in services related to her office and the town.
Andrews took a full time job with Subaru in Lafayette starting October 27. Her hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Town hall hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
When questioned by a citizen about hiring an attorney, Andrews told the citizen the purpose was to “assist the Clerk-Treasurer in ensuring compliance with legal obligations in role as Clerk-Treasurer and to determine future course of action.”
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Andrews collects a $47,500 annual salary for the elected position, and is responsible for the accounting, collection, and disbursement of funds and the town’s financial books.
Around the time Andrews accepted her job with Subaru, Andrews posted a sign on her office door saying she was “shadowing other clerks,” which raised concerns among some town council members and citizens.
Andrews told Call 6 Investigates Tuesday she had planned to shadow other clerks, but did not end up doing so due to scheduling problems.
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There’s no state law requiring clerk treasurers to work a minimum number of hours.
However, the council will consider a resolution to formally disapprove of Andrews “continued absence from town hall during regular business hours” and that moving forward, the clerk-treasurer should be at town hall during normal business hours.
The resolution will be discussed at a special council meeting Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
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