Special Prosecutor Dan Sigler said Tuesday he did not have enough evidence to file battery charges against Attorney General Curtis Hill, who was previously accused of sexual misconduct.
Four women claim Hill touched them and made an inappropriate comment March 15 at a Sine Die party at a bar in Indianapolis.
Sigler released a seven-page special prosecutor’s report at the press conference explaining his reasoning for his decision, which included a lack of evidence to prove Hill’s intent, his belief that a jury wouldn’t find Hill guilty and how the case would be too long and expensive for public benefit and taxpayer money.
Even if convicted of a battery misdemeanor, Hill would still be able to serve in public office now and in the future, the special prosecutor's report said.
Gov. Eric Holcomb released a statement Tuesday evening in support of the women.
“The findings show a disregard of the executive branch zero tolerance harassment policy," the statement said. "My position has not changed.”
After learning of Sigler’s decision not to file charges, the four women and their three attorneys announced they will be filing a civil case against Hill.
“All four have different backgrounds, different party affiliations, different stories,” said one of their attorneys, Hannah Kaufman Joseph. “They all have one thing in common. An encounter with Curtis Hill on March 15.”
They are filing charges including a tort claim notice and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charges.
“Title VII doesn’t stop at 5 p.m.,” another attorney, Kimberly Jeselskis, said.
One accuser, legislative assistant Samantha Lozano, remained anonymous before today.
“I know what I saw, and what I saw was wrong,” Lozano said.
The accusers come from a variety of government positions. Lozano and Niki DaSilva are legislative assistants. Gabrielle McLemore is the Communications Director for the Indiana State Democrats and Mara Candelaria Reardon is a state representative.
Despite saying the 56 witnesses he and his team interviewed were credible, Sigler said he didn’t think he could prove intent, which is necessary with a battery charge.
“I believed them,” Sigler said. “But I didn’t think I could meet my burden.”
Hill’s attorneys, James H. Voyles and Jennifer M. Lukemeyer, released a statement thanking Sigler for the thoroughness of the investigation.
“Mr. Hill will continue to serve the people of Indiana in the capacity for which he was elected as the Indiana Attorney General,” the statement said.
