INDIANAPOLIS — The independent committee tasked with investigating sexual harassment allegations in Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett's administration found the City-County was "legally compliant" in all instances of complaints in 2017, 2020 and 2023.
Fisher Phillips, the firm conducting the independent investigation, released a 54-page report of its findings in a meeting on Thursday.
As part of their investigation, Fisher Phillips reviewed existing Human Resources systems, policies and procedures.
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According to the report, the goal was "to provide a summary of our investigatory work in this matter and related recommendations which the City-County Council may consider to better address sexual harassment and discrimination complaints going forward."
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WRTV spoke with members of the city-county council investigative committee after the report was released.
“I wish I could say I’m shocked by what we found but I’m not. We didn’t really hear anything from this," said Brian Mowery, District 25 (R). "I went into this very skeptical that we would actually get anything done, and I wish we could’ve had a better outcome for the survivors and people to know that we’re not just hiding behind what laws say. That we have an ethical and moral code as well that we will try to abide by.”
“We took no vote this evening. No dollars were moved anywhere. We took it in. We’ve got it, and now we need to come to the table once we all have our notes, compare notes, and see what’s the most justifiable and justice-driven decision to make moving forward regarding policy, both on the executive side and the legislative side,” said Crista Carlino, District 11 (D).
Fisher Phillips recommends that the City-County Council make changes to create a more "robust anti-harassment policy," including replacing the current HR Division with an independent Human Resources Board.
The meeting was met with public outcry, with audience members holding signs in support of the victims.
One of the women who accused Hogsett’s former chief of staff of misconduct appeared via FaceTime, pleading with the committee during the session.
“Are we going to kick out the survivor?” an audience member asked. “I want to hear the report.”
The disruption prompted the committee to take a brief recess.
“Madame chairwoman, are you going to call the cops to haul us out of here if we don’t stop speaking out for the voices of women?” another attendee demanded.
Statements
The following statements were released regarding the final report issued by Fisher Phillips to the City-County Council’s Investigative Committee.
I would like to commend the members of the City-County Council’s Investigative Committee for their due diligence in conducting an independent and thorough investigation into the sexual harassment allegations made against Thomas Cook.
I instructed my administration to fully cooperate in the investigative process conducted by the Council’s selected law firm of Fisher Phillips. I am appreciative to everyone who provided testimony and access to information, including work and personal texts and emails, as part of the investigation, especially the survivors who have had to revisit painful experiences and trauma.
While I have not had an opportunity to read the full report at this time, the findings are clear that the earlier investigations and resulting sanctions were handled appropriately and confidentially.
It remains crucial that the City has the best system in place for reporting, investigating, and dealing with harassment of any kind, which is why I will work with the City-County Council on how these recommendations may further strengthen efforts to create a safer, better workplace for everyone throughout the City’s operations.
“The Indiana Democratic Party is committed to building a safe work environment for all employees, volunteers and candidates. IDP has established a formal Code of Conduct and Ethics Process to allow timely and confidential reporting of allegations involving members or affiliates of the Party. Accusations can be submitted through the process on the IDP website.”
Next Steps
The committee members will thoroughly review the report and recommend further action to be taken by the Council.
