City-County Council to enact policy reform after investigation of sexual harassment claims

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis City-County Council says that following the Fisher Phillips Report, an independent investigation into sexual harassment claims against a former staff member of Mayor Joe Hogsett, they are moving into the next steps of policy reform.

Now that the Council’s Investigative Committee “has officially concluded its responsibilities,” the City-County Council said in a press release, leadership is ordering recommendations to change HR reporting protocols based on a review of the Fisher Phillips report.

All councilors now have the chance to ask questions about the investigation, which will be passed on to Fisher Phillips, the independent law firm who conducted the report.

A draft report of proposed changes will be released for public comment “prior to a special meeting of the Rules and Public Policy Committee scheduled for late August or early September,” the release says. “The public will be invited to review and weigh in on the draft report, which will also be reviewed by subject matter experts in employment law, HR systems, and workplace culture.”

After the public comment period, the council will work towards implementing the changes. “Recommendations may result in formal legislation or administrative action,” the release says.

Vice Chair of the Rules and Public Policy Committee Councilor Dan Boots wrote in the release, saying progress is now the Council’s focus. “This is about improving systems, restoring trust, and ensuring that every employee within the City-County enterprise feels safe and supported. We are committed to doing this in a transparent, bipartisan, and solution-oriented manner,” he wrote.

However controversy has followed the City-County Council beyond the investigation into Hogsett’s former aide.

News 8 previously reported that Democratic Councilor Keith Graves stepped down from the Education Committee after a woman accused him of sexual and emotional abuse. At the time, City-County Council President Vop Osili underscored the necessity of “ensuring that our polices and practices support those who raise concerns, while also respecting due process,” though he said the Council has no authority to investigate the personal matters of Graves.

Most recently, a woman claimed that Democrat City-County Councilor Nick Roberts groped her during a date, which Roberts denies. A Fishers police investigation found there was not enough evidence for charges.

Help is available for victims of domestic violence. Below is a list of suggested resources on the Domestic Violence Network website:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• National Domestic Violence Hotline en español: 800-799-7233 o texto “START” al 88788
• Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24-hour hotline available at 800-332-7385
• Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
• La Plaza Indy
• The Julian Center
• Indiana Child Abuse Hotline: 800-800-5556
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673

Previous Coverage

• Councilor Graves accused of sexual and emotional abuse, steps down as committee leader
• Indianapolis officials accused of manipulating scope of harassment investigation
• 5th woman comes forward to claim harassment in Hogsett administration
• Mayor Hogsett confirms late-night poetry texts to staffer, omitted from report
• Mayor Hogsett dines out after skipping homelessness event amid harassment claims
• ‘I’m not resigning’: Mayor Hogsett speaks amid sexual harassment investigation
• Chaos erupts over sexual harassment allegations at City-County Council meeting
• Report on sexual harassment response excludes texts with Mayor Hogsett, attorney says
• Report finds Hogsett’s response to sexual harassment allegations didn’t violate policy
• 13 Indianapolis employees report workplace concerns amid harassment investigation
• Deputy mayor appointee moves forward in confirmation process after harassment allegations
• City-Council VP knew about sexual harassment, supported victim
• 7 councilors chosen for panel to look into sexual harassment allegations
• City of Indianapolis fires employee amid sexual misconduct review
• Anonymous sexual harassment reporting website rolls out for City-County employees
• Hogsett signs new order on sexual harassment prevention
• Political strategists blast Hogsett’s handling of Cook allegations
• ‘I would like him to apologize’: Former staffers demand changes from Hogsett after claims of abuse by aide
• Councilors react to former chief of staff sexual harassment allegations
• Trapped: A city leader’s abuse of power and how 3 women got out

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