Embattled attorney general Hill hires former TV anchor for communications post

Embattled Attorney General Curtis Hill announced Wednesday that former TV journalist Chris Proffitt has joined his office as communications director.

Hill, who is under fire over allegations that he inappropriately touched four women at a bar in March, hired Proffitt to replace another former TV journalist, Jeremy Brilliant, who left the AG's office last month.

Chris Proffitt

Proffitt, a former reporter and anchor, worked 21 years for WTHR-TV Channel 13 and five years at WRTV-TV Channel 6 before being fired by the latter station in August 2016.

“I am pleased to welcome Chris to our staff,” Hill said in written remarks. “His experience and expertise will prove invaluable in helping us serve our constituents. As leader of our communications team, he will ensure that we keep Hoosiers properly informed of our important work on behalf of the State of Indiana.”

Proffitt won nine Emmy Awards, a National Headliner award and the National Edward R. Murrow Award during his reporting career. He graduated from Indiana University in 1982.

Brilliant worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at WTHR from 2007 to 2016. He is now director of communications with Indianapolis-based Kerauno.

Gov. Eric Holcomb, House Speaker Brian Bosma, Senate Pro Tem David Long and other Republican and Democratic elected officials have called for Hill to resign amid the sexual misconduct accusations.

Hill has denied the accusations, calling them "vicious and false," and requested the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to conduct an independent investigation of the claims.

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said Tuesday afternoon that a special prosecutor will be appointed to help assist the Office of the Indiana Inspector General in an investigation of the groping allegations against Attorney General Curtis Hill.