Three state reps call for investigation into whether AG Curtis Hill committed impeachable offense

Show Caption Hide Caption Attorney General Curtis Hill addresses sexual harassment allegations As top Indiana Republican leaders call for his resignation, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill claims his innocence in the face of sexual harassment allegations.

Three Democratic state representatives have submitted a resolution that could be the first step in initiating impeachment proceedings against Attorney Gen. Curtis Hill, who is embroiled in an investigation after four women allege he touched them in an inappropriate way.

Representatives Ed DeLaney of Indianapolis, Ryan Dvorak of South Bend and Matt Pierce of Bloomington said in a resolution Saturday that the allegations against Hill could constitute grounds for impeachment.

The state representatives specifially are calling for House Speaker Brian Bosma to instruct the House Judiciary Committee, which DeLaney and Dvorak serve on, to investigate whether there are grounds for impeaching Hill.

"Given the seriousness of the allegations against Attorney General Curtis

Hill and the gravity of the office he holds, this body should address whether Attorney

General Curtis Hill can fulfill the duties of the office of Attorney General," the resolution read.

For an impeachment proceeding to go forward, yes votes would be required from two-thirds of state representatives — or 67 members of the 100 in the House chamber. If the resolution is approved in the House, Hill would be required to go for an impeachment hearing before the state Senate. Two-thirds of the Senate — 33 out of 50 senators — would have to find Hill guilty for an impeachment.

DeLaney is one of 30 House Democrats in the super-majority Republican General Assembly. There are nine Democrats in the state Senate.

DeLaney said an impeachment would make the investigation into the allegations against Hill move “promptly and effectively and openly.” He said he has spoken to Democrats and at least one Republican legislator about supporting the resolution, and said he is not worried about the vote count.

“It’s pretty simple,” he said. “I don’t think the people of Indiana should be diverted from our real problems in dealing with this guy for a long period of time.”

DeLaney said the attorney general is unable to perform the duties of his office while the investigation is ongoing.

Four women — Democrat state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon from Munster and three other female legislative staffers — accused Hill of inappropriate behavior at a local bar during an end-of-session party in March.

Rep. Candelaria Reardon: AG Curtis Hill 'grabbed' my buttocks. Legislator speaks out for first time.

McLemore: Second woman allegedly touched by Curtis Hill speaks: 'I will no longer be silent'

DaSilva: Republican woman comes forward to accuse AG Curtis Hill: ‘This is not a witch hunt’

Hill has maintained his innocence, saying his accusers' stories seem coordinated against him. He has called for an independent investigation into the allegations and refuses to resign.

The IndyStar reached out Hill's spokesperson and House Speaker Brian Bosma on Saturday for comment but was unable to reach anyone.

Indiana's inspector general has been investigating the case since July 6, a day after GOP leaders Gov. Eric Holcomb, House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate leader David Long wrote coordinated statements calling for Hill to resign. Republicans Lt. Gov Suzanne Crouch and Secretary of State Connie Lawson soon followed with their own calls for Hill's resignation.

Hill’s attorneys have now requested to remove a special prosecutor, saying appointing a special prosecutor is premature and fuels speculation that a crime has been committed, according to reporting Saturday from the Times of Northwest Indiana.

On July 6, Hill asked for an independent investigation by Marion County Democrat Prosecutor Terry Curry. Curry requested a special prosecutor, citing a conflict of interest: Hill is representing Curry’s office in two civil lawsuits.

Hill’s counsel is also calling the inspector general’s investigation an overstep of her office’s bounds, according to the Times. Holcomb, however, said the investigation is within the inspector general’s responsibilities.

Three of the four women who have made the allegations against Hill have come forward publicly in letters to the IndyStar describing their experiences with the attorney general.

Candelaria Reardon said Hill grabbed her buttocks during the March 15 end-of-year party for Indiana legislators and their staff at AJ's Lounge, a bar just south of Downtown.

Indiana Senate Democrats communications director Gabrielle McLemore said Hill cornered her at the bar and began rubbing her back.

Niki DaSilva, a legislative assistant for Indiana Senate Republicans, said in a letter to the IndyStar Thursday that Hill placed a hand on her back and slid it down to her buttocks while she tried to push his hand away. She also said he told her and other female colleagues that in order to get drinks, they had to "show a little skin."

Call IndyStar reporter Faith E. Pinho at 317-444-6083.