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An Evansville city councilwoman was arrested and charged this week with fraud and falsifying an election document over allegations that she did not meet the residency requirements for the council ward she was selected to represent.
Attorney Tanisha Carothers, who was selected by a Democratic caucus to fill a council vacancy in the 4th Ward, was arrested Tuesday and entered a plea of not guilty on Wednesday.
A probable cause affidavit filed in the case says a police investigation shows Carothers was not residing within the 4th Ward for six months prior to the election and was not living within the Evansville city limits for one year prior to the election, as required by Indiana law.
The affidavit said the investigation also indicated Carothers “submitted a falsified document that had been issued by a governmental entity (Indiana Election Board) in order to receive an employment benefit to which she was not entitled to.”
Carothers’ attorney, Brandon Danks, did not immediately respond to The Indiana Lawyer’s request for comment. But he told WFIE-Channel 14 in Evansville that authorities “are absolutely wrong that she does not meet the residency requirements.”
He also has called the charges “politically motivated.”
Separately, Carothers is facing a civil lawsuit filed by Angela Bullock, who ran against Carothers for the 4th Ward seat. It requests that Carothers be removed from office because she does not meet the residency requirements and seeks to prohibit Carothers from seeking office again.
A court hearing in the criminal case is set for 9 a.m. Central Time on April 3.
Evansville City Council President Ben Trockman told The Lawyer that the council will continue its business as usual while the legal process plays out.
The criminal case is State of Indiana v. Tanisha Denise Carothers, 82D03-2502-F6-001482.
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