Indiana House and Office of the Attorney General dismiss ethics violation and conflict of interest
State Rep. Ragen Hatcher can keep her day job as the executive director of the Gary Sanitary District, ending a complaint of ethics violations and a conflict of interest.
A statement from Steve Segura, the City of Gary’s Chief Communications Officer said, “The Indiana House Statutory Committee on Ethics analyzed, addressed, and dismissed each allegation presented.”
The complaints against Hatcher were brought by Atty. Trent McCain, the former Gary deputy mayor during the Jerome Prince Administration.
On April 15, Atty. McCain submitted a Formal Ethics Complaint with the Indiana House Ethics Committee and a concurrent Request for Investigation and Formal Opinion with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office concerning Representative Ragen Hatcher’s simultaneous service as Indiana State Representative for House District 3 and as Executive Director of the Gary Sanitary District.
Segura said the ethics committee determined Hatcher’s role as executive director was compliant with state law and ethical guidelines. “The Committee repeatedly found that there were no facts or law sufficient to support the allegations. Crucially, the Committee affirmed that the role of GSD Executive Director does not constitute a “lucrative office” under the Indiana Constitution.”
Hatcher was holding two lucrative public offices at the same time and that was a violation of the Indiana Constitution, McCain had complained.
“The Indiana Constitution is clear. Article II, Section 9 prohibits any person from holding more than one lucrative office at the same time. Article III, Section 1 prohibits a person charged with legislative duties from simultaneously exercising executive functions,” McCain asserted.
“We have reviewed all of the relevant documents you submitted as well as the relevant portions of the Indiana Constitution and Code regarding the position of Executive Director/Stormwater Coordinator,” the Indiana Attorney General’s Office replied to Atty. McCain. “We are in agreement with the conclusion reached by the committee.”
The city’s statement noted, “This matter was thoroughly researched before Representative Hatcher, who is also a licensed attorney, assumed the role of Executive Director of GSD.”
“We appreciate the Ethics Committee’s reaffirmation that Indiana’s Legislature is a part-time, citizen legislature. Its rules rightfully encourage its members to maintain outside employment and bring real-world experience to the policymaking process,” said Mayor Eddie Melton. “Representative Hatcher’s leadership at the Gary Sanitary District continues to be an asset to our city and its residents.”
“The dismissal of these claims by the Indiana House Statutory Committee on Ethics alleging incompatibility of offices and concurrent compensation puts this matter to rest,” Segura said. “The City of Gary looks forward to continuing its collaborative work with local and state leaders without further distraction.”
“Neither the House Ethics Committee nor the Attorney General’s Office conducted a full investigation. Both reviewed the complaint on its face and declined to proceed further – that is a procedural outcome, not an exoneration,” Atty. McCain said.
