Sigler appointed special prosecutor in Hill investigation

Daniel Sigler, a senior prosecuting attorney from Fort Wayne, has been appointed special prosecutor as part of the investigation into sexual misconduct allegations surrounding Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill.

Marion Superior Judge Lisa Borges issued the order Tuesday. Sigler has experience handling high-profile cases as a special prosecutor.

He was appointed one of three special prosecutors in the 2012 investigation of former Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White. After a trial, White was convicted of perjury, voting in an incorrect precinct and theft.

Also, according to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Sigler served as a special prosecutor in two Fort Wayne cases. Sigler prosecuted a case in 1985 in which then-Mayor Win Moses, Jr., was indicted on charges of violating election laws. Moses pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and resigned. In 2008, Sigler prosecuted mayoral candidate Matt Kelty, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance law violations.

A 1974 graduate of Valparaiso Law School, Sigler served five terms as prosecutor in Adams County. Earlier this year, he retired from his role as Whitely County attorney. He currently practices mediation at Sigler Law in Fort Wayne.

Currently, the Indiana Inspector General’s office is investigating the allegations made against Hill. The evidence collected as part of that investigation will be presented to Sigler who will then determine whether to file criminal charges.

The special prosecutor was appointed at the request of Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry. A motion asking for a special prosecutor was filed July 10 after accusations came to light that Hill had groped a state representative and three legislative staff members during a party at the end of the 2018 General Assembly Session.

Curry explained that because his office is being represented by the Attorney General in two separate civil matters, it would be inappropriate for the Marion County prosecutor to participate in a criminal investigation of Hill.

Hill, through his attorneys Voyles Vaiana Lukemeyer Baldwin & Webb, tried to quash Curry’s request. He argued the inspector general had no authority to investigate the allegations and that the appointment of a special prosecutor was premature. Curry responded, asserted Hill’s motion had “fatal flaws.”