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Indianapolis City-County Council Republicans on Monday requested a deeper probe to address information reportedly left out of law firm Fisher Phillips’ report on the Hogsett administration’s handling of harassment allegations.
The 54-page report that the city paid the Atlanta-based law firm about $450,000 to create over seven months ultimately determined that Mayor Joe Hogsett and his administration did not break any applicable laws in managing harassment allegations against Thomas Cook, his former chief of staff.
But last week, two of the women who accused Cook and were interviewed by Fisher Phillips told The Indianapolis Star that the law firm omitted key details and documents from the report, including “uncomfortable” text messages they had received from Hogsett and provided to investigators.
Now, council Republicans want to know why that information was left out.
Republican councilors have called for an oversight hearing, requesting that Investigative Committee Chair Crista Carlino, a Democrat, schedule a public hearing to address the questions regarding the law firm’s final report. IBJ has requested comment from Crista Carlino through the council’s spokesperson.
“This isn’t about politics, it’s about restoring trust. The public deserves transparency, and survivors deserve accountability,” Minority Leader Micahel-Paul Hart said in a written statement. “We won’t allow facts to be buried or voices to be ignored.”
The caucus has also called on the committee to request full evidence from Fisher Phillips, including interview notes, text message logs and full documentation submitted by respondents.
Indy Republicans also plan to examine all past and current contracts with Cook to clarify his continued involvement post-resignation.
Cook was allowed to continue to work for the city for 68 days after Hogsett was informed his employment should be terminated for violating city policies and Hogsett directives on personal relationship with city employees.
Multiple people told investigators that it appeared Cook was able to use that remaining time “to position himself for personal gain by negotiating contracts for his own benefit.”
Any new findings should be published as an addendum to the original report, the Republicans say.
The Republican caucus holds just six seats, with Democrats holding the other 19. But members of the mayor’s own party have also critiqued his handling of the allegations, as well.
Already, Democratic Councilor Andy Nielsen joined Jesse Brown in calling for Hogsett’s resignation in light of the report. Brown, an elected Democrat who identifies as a Democratic Socialist, was expelled from the caucus early this year. He called for the mayor to resign last August.
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