Prosecutors seek another probe involving White

Two special prosecutors have asked the Indiana inspector general to investigate whether indicted Secretary of State Charlie White improperly accessed a report detailing evidence of alleged voter fraud against him.

Special prosecutor John Dowd said Tuesday he and fellow special prosecutor Daniel Sigler had asked the inspector general to investigate whether White had violated any ethics laws when he accessed the report after taking office in January.

Inspector General David Thomas declined to confirm whether there was an investigation but said, "We look at every request carefully." He released a call log that showed the request was received and assigned for review on March 7.

Jason Thomas, a spokesman for the secretary of state's office, said the agency had not been contacted regarding a new investigation.

Then-Secretary of State Todd Rokita's staff prepared the 265-page report for the state recount commission, which dismissed a Democratic challenge to White's victory in the Nov. 2 election along party lines. A Marion County judge will hear the Democratic Party's appeal of that decision on April 6.

White was indicted last week on charges of voter fraud, perjury, theft and financial fraud, all stemming from claims that he lied about his address on various documents. His initial hearing is set for Friday in Noblesville.

Prosecutors contend that White voted in last May's Republican primary after moving out of his ex-wife's home in Fishers and the town council district he represented. White has previously acknowledged the voting error, chalking it up to his busy schedule and new marriage.

Indiana Democrats, who called attention to the address discrepancy, contend that White intentionally skirted the law to keep his paid seat on the town council and that White's candidacy was illegitimate.

Democrats on Tuesday called on the secretary of state's office to release the report.

"Apparently everyone else has had a look at this evidence," state party Chairman Dan Parker said in a statement. "It's time for the public to see what's in that document."