The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has added its voice to those who believe Attorney General Curtis Hill should be held to account for his behavior at a party last spring for legislative staffers.
The Supreme Court will eventually decide whether to act on the allegations of misconduct the commission filed against Hill. The decision-making process could be lengthy, and the court’s response could be anything from no action to a public or private reprimand, suspension or disbarment. The court has been reluctant to intervene in the executive and legal branches of government, but its jurisdiction over attorney conduct is clear, and taking away Hill’s license would in effect remove him from office.
The commission’s disciplinary complaint itself buttresses the demand by Gov. Eric Holcomb, legislative leaders and others that Hill should step down.
The commission recaps accusations by four women that Hill touched them inappropriately during an end-of-legislative-session celebration at an Indianapolis bar, allegations that were the subject of two investigations last year that failed to put things to rest.
In October, special prosecutor Dan Sigler said he believed the accusers but concluded he didn’t have enough evidence to criminally charge Hill.
The commission’s complaint, though not a crime-charging document, characterizes Hill’s actions as misdemeanor battery — "criminal acts, each of which reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer." The complaint also notes the attorney general "changed his story" on whether he was drunk that night and "lacks remorse for his conduct."
The commission, which comprises seven attorneys and two other citizens appointed by the court, emphasized that as the state’s chief legal officer, Hill "holds a position of extreme public trust and his office touches on virtually all areas of state government."
Though Hill’s office has become a whirlwind of legal activities and announcements, it’s impossible to believe the after-effects of that night in March of last year haven’t diminished the attorney general’s effectiveness. Also facing the threat of a lawsuit by his alleged victims, Hill will be working under a cloud for the rest of his term in office, which ends in 2021.
By acknowledging reality and resigning now, Hill would serve Indiana’s best interests as well as his own.
