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An administrator at the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development was fired Wednesday after an internal investigation found “overwhelming evidence” of inappropriate sexual misconduct, according to documents released by the city’s attorneys.
The Indianapolis Star was the first to report the firing of metropolitan development administrator Matt Pleasant as well as a growing number of other sexual harassment claims filed by city workers in the aftermath of three women going public in mid-July with sexual harassment allegations against Thomas Cook, former chief of staff to Mayor Joe Hogsett.
Hogsett and his Democratic administration now face an investigation by the Democrat-controlled City-County Council over how the allegations against Cook were handled.
Since the allegations against Cook first came to light, employee complaints made to Hogsett and the City of Indianapolis’ Human Resource Department have led to seven additional internal investigations, including the one against Pleasant.
Pleasant had been employed by the city for nearly five years. According to HR documents provided to IBJ by city attorneys, the department was made aware of allegations against him on July 22. Pleasant was terminated on Wednesday.
Pleasant did not respond to a request for comment Thursday morning.
Additionally, the Star reported allegations of sexual harassment against former Department of Metropolitan Development Director Rusty Carr.
Carr resigned in 2023 to become CEO of the Parks Alliance of Indianapolis. He resigned Aug. 15 from his role at the Parks Alliance, Board Chair Jenn Schimmelpfennig confirmed in an email to IBJ. His resignation was in the form of a brief email with no mention of the allegations.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the organization these last 7 months,” Carr wrote to Schimmelpfennig.
Carr did not respond to IBJ’s request for comment. Carr acknowledged to IndyStar that he had “consensual physical” relationships with two city employees and sent suggestive messages and photos to other women.
“Just now learning about these allegations years later, it was never my intent to inflict emotional stress, pain or hardship on anyone, ever,” Carr told IndyStar in a written statement. “I am deeply sorry to all of those I hurt and let down through my actions.”
The six investigations remaining following Pleasant’s termination all pertain to separate individuals, including both current and former employees.
In response to IBJ’s request for comment on the allegations against Carr, a city spokesperson provided the following statement.
“On July 31, after a frank discussion with members of the Administration’s Cabinet leadership, Mayor Hogsett was approached by an individual who wanted to file a complaint of misconduct against a former employee of the City who had resigned in 2023. The Mayor then ensured a complaint was immediately filed with the City of Indianapolis and Marion County Human Resources office. HR has moved forward in a confidential manner to protect all parties involved.”
In a statement, the Republican caucus of the City-County Council said the IndyStar report “made it clear that there are systemic problems” in the Hogsett administration. It referenced the Star’s findings that of more than 25 current and former Hogsett administration staffers who interviewed, “many said Cook’s behavior was not isolated, but rather indicative of a toxic culture where sexual harassment was common…”
“If this is true, it is completely unacceptable, and the Mayor must be held accountable,” the statement said.
Democratic council leadership did not respond to an IBJ request for comment Thursday morning.
Hogsett publicly apologized to the three women who made allegations against Cook in August during his city budget address. Two of the women, Caroline Ellert and Lauren Roberts, penned a letter to Hogsett and City-County Council President Vop Osili demanding reform within the City-County Building.
Since then, the mayor has signed an executive order to make annual sexual harassment training mandatory for all employees. A national law firm without local ties is currently being hired to review and make recommendations on the employee handbook. Meanwhile, the demo of an anonymous online reporting system has been activated.
The administration also began an internal education campaign Aug. 16 to ensure all employees can access free counseling and support available through the Employee Assistance Program.
“It is of critical importance to me that every person who serves our community in the City-County enterprise understands they can report inappropriate behavior of any kind without fear of retribution, and that all investigations will be conducted in a confidential manner,” Hogsett wrote in a statement. “I remain committed to working with the City-County Council and leaders of this Administration to make continued changes to our policies and practices that ensure a safe and equitable workplace for all.”
The City-County Council is currently creating an investigative committee to review city policies and the Hogsett administration’s handling of allegations of sexual harassment against Cook. The council committee on committees will meet Sept. 10 in the Council President’s Conference Room to appoint members of the investigative committee.
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What in the world has been going on over there? Who’s been minding the store? Evidently, not Hogsett.
Agreed
We all make mistakes as we walk through our journey of life. There is a problem when we are aware and don’t promptly take responsibility.
This leader seems to have a way of hypnotizing his soldiers through many game stunning plays.
There is also a dramatic issue with those of you who work for him and dodge you discredible behavior.
Shame on you when you are aware of your behavior and are not taking responsibility.