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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIn a first for the state of Indiana, the law license of the elected attorney general has been suspended for attorney misconduct.
Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill will serve a 30-day suspension beginning May 18 for violations of Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b) and (d), the state Supreme Court ruled Monday.
The court was unanimous in handing down the suspension with automatic reinstatement, provided that there are no other suspensions in place at the end of the 30-day period.
The discipline against the embattled Hill comes just shy of two years after allegations became public that he groped four women at a March 2018 legislative party. The women include Democratic State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, and legislative staffers Gabrielle McLemore Brock, Niki DaSilva and Samantha Lozano.
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission brought the ethical charges against Hill–who is in the midst of a reelection campaign–in March 2019, and a four-day evidentiary hearing was held in October.
The Disciplinary Commission had recommended that Hill serve a two-year suspension without automatic reinstatement, while hearing officer and former Justice Myra Selby recommended a 60-day suspension without automatic reinstatement.
It is not immediately clear what the suspension will mean for his ability to serve as attorney general or for the Attorney General’s Office. State law requires the attorney general to be “duly licensed to practice law in Indiana,” but it doesn’t specify whether the person can continue serving after facing professional disciplinary action.
Donald Lundberg, an attorney who represented Hill in the disciplinary case, declined any immediate comment Monday. Messages to Hill’s office and campaign seeking comment weren’t immediately returned.
Hill has denied doing anything wrong, testifying during a hearing in October that he briefly touched Reardon’s back while leaning in to hear what she was saying during the party and was startled to realize she was wearing a backless dress. Hill said “absolutely not” when asked whether he grabbed Reardon’s buttocks.
Reardon testified that Hill, smelling of alcohol and with glassy eyes, was holding a drink in his right hand and put his left hand on her shoulder, then slid his hand down her dress to clench her buttocks. “A squeeze, a firm grasp,” she said.
Hill, 59, also refuted testimony from the three female legislative staffers—ages 23 to 26 at the time—that he inappropriately touched their backs or buttocks and made unwelcomed sexual comments during the party.
The court’s order directs Hill to not undertake any legal matters beginning May 18 for 30 days.
Hill, who is seeking election to a second term this year, has rebuffed calls from Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and other state GOP leaders for his resignation since the groping allegations became public in July 2018.
A spokeswoman for Holcomb, who would appoint a successor if the attorney general’s office is vacant, didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
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This is pretty rich, considering the Democrat’s presidential candidate, Joe Biden, does this sort of behavior on a regular basis and ALL and I do say ALL Democrats think its just fine and dandy. Reminder: you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Cozying up and putting your arm around a woman is not ideal behavior in these times, but it’s not the same as grabbing a women’s buttocks or whispering that you’d like to have sex with them. Oh, and let’s not forget your guy has been accused by two dozen women of much, much worse things than this, and he even said so on tape. But you ignore all that.
Neil D.
I’m sorry. You need help! All you are saying is that the democrats are bad too! How about the fact: all of this behavior is beyond the pale. You are just so angry with democrats that you forget or obviate the behavior in general, regardless of who committed these transgression. It’s not about politics, it’s about right and wrong.
AMEN, Neil.
Got off lightly.
If he were in the business world – he’d be looking for another job.
Extremely good chance he’s already started looking for another job. Because come November, he’ll be voted out of this one.
It seems possible, even likely, that his fellow Republicans will not renominate him. They surely don’t want to see him lose to a Democrat.
Yep
The only difference is, the national media protects Biden, Curtis is on his own!
The plot worked! Nothing was concisely proven and much was hearsay.
We definitely live in an era where any man can be accused, exploited, and ruined! Research the accuser. They’re not very stellar people with reputations.
Nonetheless, Atty. Gen. Curtis Hill has my vote for reelection!
Darrell W., word choice on “concisely”? Beyond that, you’re arguing to ignore how this entire process unfolded. Let’s see: the opinion was unanimous on the Indiana Supreme Court, 5-0. Of the five, only one is a woman, just in case you think this is an attack by a bunch of feminists. As far as their political leanings, all 5 were appointed by GOP governors. Go figure. I guess they were all suckered in by “the plot”, and never heard of “hearsay”. But feel free to imply the victims had it coming.
Right on, Darrell. The Republican establishment has wanted to be rid of Curtis Hill Jr. ever since he was duly elected with more votes than any candidate for any Indiana office had ever received. This nonsense is a travesty.
I, too, will contribute to his campaign and gladly vote for him come November. Hill’s speech in South Bend upon the interment of the remains of the babies aborted by Abortionist Ulrich Klopfer (I attended the ceremony) sealed the deal for me….but RINO Republicans are scared to death of anyone who deigns to challenge the abortion industry in Indiana; i. e., C.R. (Chief RINO) Holcomb not ordering abortion clinics to cease and desist when other hospitals had to forgo elective surgeries.
Curtis Hill got a gift considering what the disciplinary commission and hearing officer recommended. No more whining about how everyone has it in for him. Time for Curtis to admit he was wrong and apologize for his bevahior.
Time for Elvis to leave the building…
This is absurd. It is yet another case of destroying a good man’s reputation. Since when do modern strong women just stand helplessly if a hand touches their butt? I stand up for Mr. Hill. Women, grow up. You can’t claim victimhood and still be strong.