City-County Councilor Keith Graves accused of sexual and emotional abuse

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A woman says she was sexually and emotionally abused by Democratic City-County Councilor Keith Graves during a two-year relationship.

The councilor says the relationship was consensual and denies any wrongdoing.

I-Team 8 first sat down with the woman, Laurin Embry, in June.

In 2019, Embry was a volunteer for the Democratic Party. That’s when she met Graves at a party event. She says they began a relationship with each other in 2020.

Embry says the abuse from Graves nearly cost her life.

“I didn’t realize that I was in an abusive relationship until I was on suicide watch and the chaplain told me,” Embry said.

Embry says she initially did not think much of her conversations with Graves. He represents the northeast side of the city. Soon, though, she says, they went from acquaintances to much more, and quickly.

“Within three days, I was waking up at his house,” Embry said.

She says things soon took a violent turn when she did not pick up one of his late-night phone calls.

“He told me that he better not find out that I was seeing other people,” Embry said.

She says the abuse continued, leading to several suicide attempts.

“I survived even contemplating jumping off of an overpass here in the city,” Embry said.

She was admitted into the hospital for a mandatory 72-hour suicide watch.

“After I got out of the hospital, Keith popped up at my apartment, maybe 10, or 11 o’clock one evening, one day,” Embry said. “He then tried to, attempted to, force himself on top of me.”

She says she made it clear she did not want to be near him anymore. Embry says the late-night knocks on the door continued.

“How often would that happen?” I-Team 8 asked Embry.

“At that time, it was, like, it felt like every other day,” Embry said. “He doesn’t take no as an option, especially from women.”

Graves did not agree to an on camera interview, but issued a statement to I-Team 8.

“Unfortunately, the person I was involved with from 2020 to 2022 has chosen to portray our time together inaccurately rather than honestly representing our relationship,” Graves said. “The recent allegations of sexual and emotional abuse are alarming and false. This is the first time I have heard that Ms. Embry believes she experienced abuse. Sexual abuse allegations are not something I take lightly. They are serious and carry criminal consequences. While I regret that there is a story from a past relationship that I am not proud of, no criminal charges were filed.”

See below for his full statement.

Embry did not make any police reports at the time out of fear of retribution.

Embry is telling her story after women came forward to say they experienced harassment, sexual assault, or grooming within Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration, leading to multiple calls for his resignation.

“Regarding my position as a City-County Councilor and that of the administration, no comparisons should be made between me and those of any former or current elected officials or city employees, as the circumstances are entirely unrelated,” Graves said in his statement.

Embry is working to pick up the pieces, now working as a social worker and community advocate. She says the price paid for coming forward is high.

She still sees Graves at community events.

“He knows. I know,” Embry said. “We just try to put on the mask. I fake it like I don’t know him and I keep it pushing.”

Embry tells I-Team 8 she is not asking Graves to resign. Her only goal is to help other women.

Democrat Maggie Lewis, the City-County Council majority leader, says she’s committed to confirming the validity of the allegations.

City-County Councilor Keith Graves’ full statement

“I am disappointed by the allegations being made against me. What is being said does not reflect the values I hold as a father, a brother, and a mentor to young men in our community.

“What was once viewed as a mutual and respectful relationship is now being portrayed in a very different way, and this development discourages me. I have never behaved in a manner that jeopardized the safety or comfort of others. I understand that the end of a relationship has emotional effects, but I unequivocally deny these claims. What is being said about me is untrue, and I am saddened that, nearly three years later, this narrative is being used to describe me. I hope my accuser takes time to reflect on our time together and recognizes the true nature of our relationship.

“Unfortunately, the person I was involved with from 2020 to 2022 has chosen to portray our time together inaccurately rather than honestly representing our relationship. The recent allegations of sexual and emotional abuse are alarming and false. This is the first time I have heard that Ms. Embry believes she experienced abuse. Sexual abuse allegations are not something I take lightly. They are serious and carry criminal consequences.

“While I regret that there is a story from a past relationship that I am not proud of, no criminal charges were filed, and the protective order filed against me was dropped. We have both moved on from that situation and remain friends. 

“Regarding my position as a City-County Councilor and that of the administration, no comparisons should be made between me and those of any former or current elected officials or city employees, as the circumstances are entirely unrelated. I support the Democratic caucus position issued on June 9, which states, “The residents of Indianapolis deserve a city government that is accountable, honest, and reflective of the community’s highest aspirations. Public trust is a sacred obligation continuously earned through principled moral leadership and responsible governance. I am and will remain committed to creating a harassment-free work environment and protecting the physical and mental well-being of all city-county employees.” 

City-County Council Majority Leader Maggie Lewis’ full statement

“On June 9, we issued a statement which read:

“‘The residents of Indianapolis deserve a city government that is accountable, honest, and reflective of the community’s highest aspirations. Public trust is a sacred obligation continuously earned through principled moral leadership and responsible governance.’

“This statement also applies to members of the Indianapolis City-County Council.  As Majority Leader, I have been made aware and am closely monitoring allegations being made against one of our caucus members and am committed to confirming their validity.

“If information emerges that negatively affects the integrity of the caucus, we are dedicated to taking all necessary actions to do what is right. We urge the community to respect the privacy of everyone involved and to be patient as we work to address this issue with council leadership and the caucus.”

Resources

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

Mental health resources

• Be Well Indiana
• Indiana Suicide Prevention
• Indiana Department of Child Services’ Children’s Mental Health Initiative
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 800-273-8255
• More resources

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