Eight council Democrats and a clerk that Clay fired sought from Judge Thomas Carroll a temporary restraining order, alleging that council president Stephen Clay’s move to fire two key staff members was illegal and in retaliation for moves that could put his presidency in jeopardy.
Eight members of the Indianapolis City-County Council and fired council clerk NaTrina DeBow on Thursday sued embattled council President Stephen Clay and asked the court to grant a temporary restraining order.
Former Indianapolis City-County Council Clerk NaTrina DeBow defended herself and other council staffers against allegations from President Stephen Clay that employees had acted improperly, causing him to call for an audit of the office.
In the midst of a civil war with fellow Democrats on the City-County Council, Stephen Clay is calling for an operational and fiscal audit “as a result of these findings and other questionable practices.”
City officials are considering an ordinance to crack down on hotels and motels they say are a magnet for crime, pose a danger to area residents, and drain city police and fire resources.
Vice President Zach Adamson said he believed the firing of City-County Council lawyer Fred Biesecker by new president Stephen Clay was in retaliation for Biesecker’s procedural moves against him that could put Clay’s new presidency in jeopardy.
The unanimous vote also gave approval for the city to spend $4.2 million to acquire 140 acres of land from Citizens Energy Group as the site for the new jail, courthouses and mental health center.
Democrats acted to put the question of Stephen Clay’s removal as president to a vote at the next council meeting, in mid-February.
Is the Marion County Democratic Party broken?
The same proposal also authorizes the city to spend $4.2 million for the acquisition of 140 acres of land from Citizens Energy Group as the site for the new jail, courthouses and mental health center.
Republican Minority Leader Mike McQuillen said the decision by the council’s president, Stephen Clay, showed “we’ve basically seen the Democratic caucus fall apart in some regards.”
The Republican council member had requested a special prosecutor because Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry, a Democrat, had donated to Miller’s political opponent, Emily Shrock, in the last election. Shrock also formerly worked in the prosecutor’s office.
Five Democrats joined nine Republicans on the council to propel Stephen Clay over the finish line for the body’s top leadership post.
The developer-backed bonds will support a 87-unit, $18.9 million mixed-use apartment building that’s been in the works for about two years.
Miller has been charged with three felony counts of child molestation. However, he has been adamant about remaining on the council.
Mayor Joe Hogsett on Thursday announced a new public-private partnership program that will award up to $4 million next year in matching funds to community organizations for certain infrastructure projects.
Miller was charged with child molesting in November after two 10-year-old girls told police he inappropriately touched and massaged them at his Fletcher Place home.
Indianapolis City-County Council member Jeff Miller has finally explained his reasons for remaining on the council—more than two weeks after he was charged with three felony counts of child molesting.
The 10-year tax abatement will apply to IT equipment of up to $400 million.
City-County Council Republicans have called for Jeff Miller to step down after he was charged with child molesting, but it appears he intends to remain on the council.
