Special prosecutor Dan Sigler discusses his decision not to bring criminal charges against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill. (Brandon Smith/IPB News)
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill won’t face criminal charges after an investigation intosexual misconduct allegationsagainst him.
A special prosecutor assigned to the investigation announced his decision Tuesday.
The Indiana Inspector General interviewed 56 witnesses into the March incident at which four women say the Attorney General improperly groped them. Hill did not meet with investigators; instead he submitted a video statement through his attorneys.
The Inspector General’s report on allegations against Curtis Hill says multiple witnesses report Hill’s conduct was “inappropriate, creepy, [and] unwelcome.” But special prosecutor Dan Sigler says he won’t bring a criminal case.
“You can imagine, in a crowded bar at 2:30 in the morning – well actually it was from midnight to 5:30 in the morning – where people were in and out and the alcohol was free," Sigler says. "So, that was one of the difficulties, frankly – there’s no timeline for me to prove. There’s no ability to say ‘This happened at this time, this person was here and that person was there.’ That was just impossible.”
In a statement, Hill’s attorneys say the investigation exonerates their client.
Gabrielle McLemore is one of the four women who publicly accused Hill.
“What has happened here today has told women that when we come forward, that when we share what happens to us, that, you know we can be believed but that doesn’t really mean anything,” McLemore says.
Niki DaSilva, another alleged victim, says that’s why they’re exploring a civil case against Hill for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
“I think this is a message to other women that they can stand up for themselves too,” DaSilva says.
Hill denies he touched anyone inappropriately.
But legislative leaders say they believe the women and called on Hill to step down – as they did when the allegationsfirst became public in July. Sen. David Long (R-Fort Wayne) said in a statement Hill's behavior is unacceptable.
"I called for [Hill] to step down in July, and I continue to believe that is the right thing for him to do," Long said. "However, it appears that he has no intention to do so, and that is his decision alone to make at this time. The people of Indiana will have the final say."
Governor Eric Holcomb also says Tuesday's developments don't change things; he says Hill violated the executive branch's zero tolerance sexual harassment policy.
Hill’s attorneys say the Republican official is exonerated and absolved.
See both the Inspector General and special prosecutor's reports:
