Sexual Misconduct - The Indiana Lawyer

Ice Miller attorney faces discipline in Park Tudor sex abuse case

November 7, 2018

A prominent Indianapolis employment attorney is facing a disciplinary complaint for his involvement in the botched investigation of a former Park Tudor basketball coach who later was convicted of coercing a student into exchanging sexually explicit images and texts. Ice Miller LLP partner Michael Blickman, 65, is accused of possessing and copying child pornography, failing to immediately report child abuse and other ethical rule violations.

Indiana law professors support changes to judicial conduct rules

October 30, 2018

Although they concede that more needs to be done, two Indiana law professors are applauding the recommendations on how to handle sexual harassment complaints made against the federal judiciary. Professors Charles Geyh and Jennifer Drobac, offered their comments as part of the public hearing to consider the proposed changes to the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges and the Rules for Judicial-Conduct and Judicial-Disability Proceedings.

Tort claim notice, IG report create more legal obstacles for Hill

October 30, 2018

Though Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill won’t face criminal charges stemming from allegations that he groped at least four women at a party in March, he may not legally be out of the woods. A tort claim notice filed with Hill’s office last week announced the women’s plans to seek civil redress against the Attorney General, an action that could have a direct impact on taxpayers’ wallets.

Special prosecutor believes women but won’t charge AG Hill

October 30, 2018

Special prosecutor Daniel Sigler said he believes the four women who accused Attorney General Curtis Hill of groping them, but he said he chose not to file criminal charges against Hill because believing the women would not be enough in a court of law.

Victims of AG Hill’s sexual misconduct want more than to be believed

October 30, 2018

Indiana’s top attorney threatened to sue the women for defamation. But the four who publicly came forward with allegations of being groped by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill found out that while the #MeToo movement gave them plenty of support from other victims, they will still be on their own in fighting for change.

Justices agree to hear case regarding ‘obscene’ material on cellphone

October 29, 2018

The Indiana Supreme Court granted one transfer request and denied 18 others last week, agreeing to hear argument as to whether content found on the phone of a man convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor is considered obscene under an Indiana statute.

Suit against Hill could cost taxpayers; accusers to name state

October 26, 2018

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office is now in the process of investigating a complaint filed against it, the state and Attorney General Curtis Hill after four women who publicly accused Hill of groping them at a party filed official notice of a civil lawsuit. If the women succeed on their claims against state defendants, taxpayers could be on the hook to pay any judgments.

No criminal charges, but AG Hill faces suits from accusers

October 23, 2018

After the special prosecutor announced his decision Tuesday not to bring charges against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, the four women who have accused the state’s top lawyer of sexual misconduct stepped into the public spotlight together and said they are not done fighting.

Report: AG Hill’s behavior ‘creepy’ but not criminal

October 23, 2018

A 25-page report released by the Indiana Office of the Inspector General on Tuesday shines a light on the fallout from groping allegations against Attorney General Curtis Hill, including new allegations that he inappropriately touched four lobbyists in addition to the four women who previously accused him.

AG Hill to continue to serve despite likely suits by accusers

October 23, 2018

Facing the prospect of lawsuits from four women he is accused of groping, embattled Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill vowed through his legal team Tuesday to stay in office. A special prosecutor Tuesday declined to criminally charge Hill but said the AG admitted he consumed a significant amount of alcohol and touched his accusers the night of the alleged incidents.

No charges against AG Hill, but lawmaker, victims to sue

October 23, 2018

While a special prosecutor Tuesday morning said he would file no criminal charges against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill on allegations he groped four women, the prosecutor said Hill admitted that he consumed a significant amount of alcohol and admitted to touching the alleged victims, who said Tuesday they intend to sue Hill and the state.

Judge rules for Butler in suit by ex-student accused of sex assault

October 22, 2018

A civil lawsuit against Butler University brought by a student who claims he was wrongly expelled after being falsely accused of sexual assault has ended with a judgment in favor of the university and other school personnel involved in the investigation.

Judge: Insurer has no duty to defend false sex assault claim

October 19, 2018

A federal judge has ruled an insurer does not owe a duty to defend a female student who made a false accusation of sexual assault against a Butler University student who subsequently sued the university and his accuser

Ex-USA Gymnastics head charged with evidence tampering

October 18, 2018

Former USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny was arrested Wednesday after a Texas grand jury indicted him, alleging he tampered with evidence in the sexual assault investigation of now-imprisoned gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

Students accused of sexual misconduct suing colleges, universities

October 16, 2018

Students have sued at least six Indiana colleges and universities after their schools accused them of sexual misconduct. The suits claim the schools’ investigations were unfair and biased.

Ex-intern says she had 1992 fling with Indiana house speaker

October 11, 2018

A woman alleges that when she was an Indiana legislative intern in 1992, she performed oral sex on a married Republican lawmaker who has since become the speaker of the state House of Representatives, a published report Wednesday said.

Indianapolis Archdiocese says charge against priest credible

October 9, 2018

The Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis says a sexual misconduct allegation against a priest has been found “credible.”

GOP, Dems battle over secret FBI report on Kavanaugh

October 4, 2018

A high-stakes partisan row quickly broke out Thursday over a confidential FBI report about allegations that Brett Kavanaugh sexually abused women three decades ago, with Republicans claiming investigators found “no hint of misconduct” and Democrats accusing the White House of slapping crippling constraints on the probe.

Key GOP senators hit Trump for mocking Kavanaugh accuser

October 3, 2018

Two wavering Republican senators lambasted President Donald Trump on Wednesday for mocking a woman who has claimed Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in the 1980s, underscoring the risks of assailing Kavanaugh’s three accusers as Senate support teeters for the Supreme Court nominee.

USA Diving wants dropped from lawsuit alleging sex abuse

October 3, 2018

Indianapolis-based USA Diving is seeking to be dismissed as a defendant in a federal lawsuit from several female divers who say they were sexually abused and exploited by a former coach who worked in Ohio and Indiana.

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