Hogsett’s former top aide no longer employed at law firm after harassment allegations emerge

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Thomas Cook’s employment at the law firm of Bose McKinney & Evans ended Friday after IndyStar published an investigation that revealed three women staffers had accused him of sexual harassment while he served as a top aide to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.

“As of today, Thomas is no longer at the firm,” said law firm spokesman Roger Harvey, who also is a principal and managing director of Bose Public Affairs Group.

Harvey declined to make any further comment. As of Friday afternoon, Cook’s photo and bio had been removed from the law firm’s website.

Cook did not immediately respond to IBJ’s request for comment. He did issue a statement to IndyStar regarding the harassment allegations.

“Dating back a decade, I had consensual relationships that violated a trust placed in me,” Cook said in the statement. “At no time did I seek to use my professional position to further those personal relationships. That being said, I understand these situations have raised legitimate concerns and I apologize to all those involved.”

Cook’s LinkedIn bio says he became a partner at Bose after leaving the Mayor’s Office as chief of staff in February 2021. He worked in the firm’s site selection and economic incentives group. While working at Bose, Cook also was an adviser to Hogsett’s 2023 mayoral campaign.

A statement provided to IBJ by city attorneys says that Cook’s behavior was investigated three times over six years while worked for Hogsett and each investigation brought a reprimand and discipline against Cook. The result was Cook’s resignation from city employment in 2020 and, later, his departure from Hogsett’s 2023 mayoral campaign, IndyStar reported.

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