Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has been recommended for a 60-day law license suspension for professional misconduct, according to a ruling issued Friday by an Indiana Supreme Court hearing officer.
The recommendation filed with the state Supreme Court puts the Republican Hill’s ability to remain as state government’s top lawyer in jeopardy as he must have a law license to hold the position. It wasn’t immediately clear how a temporary suspension would affect his status.
Four women, including a Munster lawmaker, alleged he drunkingly touched them at a 2018 post-legislative session party, then later used his office to intimidate them.
A special prosecutor declined to press criminal charges. At the time, he resisted calls from others, including Gov. Eric Holcomb, to resign. Hill announced his reelection campaign last fall.
His accusers, Rep. Mara Candelaria-Reardon, D-Munster, Democratic legislative staffers Samantha Lozano, Gabi McLemore Brock, and Republican staffer Niki DaSilva later sued Hill.
Hill’s behavior was “offensive, invasive, damaging and embarrassing,” Hearing Officer Myra Selby, a former state Supreme Court Justice, wrote Friday. “As Attorney General, he used his state office and others to engage in a public campaign to defend himself and intimidate the complainants,” she said.
She recommended his license not be automatically reinstated. Hill’s office didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Hill has denied any wrongdoing, testifying that he briefly touched Reardon’s back while leaning in to hear what she was saying during the party and was startled to realize she was wearing a backless dress. Hill said “absolutely not” when asked whether he grabbed Reardon’s buttocks.
Reardon testified that Hill, smelling of alcohol and with glassy eyes, was holding a drink in his right hand and put his left hand on her shoulder, then slid his hand down her dress to clench her buttocks. "A squeeze, a firm grasp," she said.
Hill, 58, also refuted testimony from three female legislative staffers that he inappropriately touched them and made unwelcomed sexual comments during the party.
"I didn't touch any woman in a sensual or intimate manner," Hill said.
The Indiana Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Commission, which investigates misconduct by lawyers, sought a two-year suspension of Hill’s law license, arguing he must be held to a high standard because of his elected position and that he’s not taken any responsibility for his actions. Commission attorneys maintain the testimony against Hill “cannot be brushed off as simply boorish behavior or overlooked as a misunderstanding of intent.”
The state Supreme Court doesn’t face a deadline to make its decision. The court’s options range from dismissing the complaint, a reprimand and temporary suspension or permanent removal of Hill’s law license, which he needs under state law to serve as state government’s top lawyer.
Holcomb, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) are among top state Republicans who’ve called for Hill’s resignation. Holcomb hasn’t yet endorsed anyone for the nomination.
The Republican attorney general nominee will be picked at the state party convention next summer ahead of the November 2020 election. Hill is being opposed by Adam Krupp, who stepped down in January as the Holcomb-appointed head of the state revenue department to run for attorney general.
The Associated Press contributed.
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