Hogsett's handling of sexual harassment claims overshadows budget introduction

Catch up quick: Lauren Roberts first alerted the mayor to Cook's behavior in an email in 2017 and in person in 2019.

• Caroline Ellert came forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment in September 2023, while Cook was working with Hogsett's campaign even though he had been forced to resign in 2020 for having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
• A third woman spoke anonymously with IndyStar, describing similar grooming tactics and harassment.

Driving the news: While presenting his 2025 budget proposal to the City-County Council Monday night, Hogsett promised to strengthen protections for city employees with a new anonymous reporting tool, a new sexual harassment policy and training for all employees.

• He also apologized to Roberts and Ellert, who were sitting in the audience.

"His conduct was a betrayal of the trust placed in him as a public official, a betrayal of my trust, and most importantly, a violation of the city's responsibility to ensure safety and well-being for all employees," Hogsett said.

Reality check: Hogsett's apology will likely do little to quiet criticism of his handling of the allegations against Cook.

Inside the room: The atmosphere inside the packed council room was unusually tense.

• Several people interrupted Hogsett during his remarks, including one man who was removed after an outburst that included him shouting at Hogsett that he was a "piece of sh*t."
• Roberts and Ellert were sitting just a few feet behind Hogsett as he turned to them, praising their "bravery and strength."

What they're saying: "We weren't heard," Roberts said as Hogsett expressed regret that women who spoke up previously "did not feel heard."

• Throughout Hogsett's address, Roberts held a sign that read "2017 investigation? Prove it," calling into question claims that the allegations were properly investigated when they were first made.

The big picture: Hogsett's $1.6 billion 2025 budget proposal includes raises for many city employees, new investments in pedestrian safety and the creation of a new Animal Care Services agency.

• With the proposal, Hogsett responded to some of his most vocal critics over the last several years by putting his support and city funding behind the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to reduce dangerous vehicular crashes, and giving each council district $1 million to fund a park or pedestrian safety-related infrastructure project.
• It also includes a proposal to create a new Tax Increment Financing district downtown to fund pedestrian improvements to Georgia Street and the underpasses along Capitol Avenue and Illinois Street at Union Station.

Plus: The city is in the midst of contract negotiations with labor unions representing the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Marion County Sheriff's deputies, public defenders and the many employees in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.

• While negotiations are ongoing, city officials said they're budgeting for salary increases next year.

Yes, but: In addition to the sexual harassment claims looming over the night, the council was inundated with activists criticizing Hogsett's lack of investment in urban forests and protesters calling for the city to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

• After several outbursts from the ceasefire group, councilors took a brief recess while law enforcement officers cleared dozens from the audience.

The latest: The City-County Council unanimously voted to consider a proposal to review the city's sexual harassment prevention and reporting processes and make improvements.

• Council Republicans also introduced a proposal to investigate Hogsett's handling of the allegations, which was approved for consideration by a vote of 22-3.

The other side: Councilors Ali Brown and Jessica McCormick voted against the Republican proposal because, they said, it was "too narrowly focused on the actions of a few individuals and too limited in its scope to result in meaningful or lasting protections for city employees."

• After the council meeting, Brown and McCormick were joined by three other female councilors to express their support for Roberts, Ellert and any other city employees who have been victims of abuse.
• "I appreciate him making those statements," McCormick said of Hogsett's comments. "I think we are past the point of statements, and we need to look for what happened and what went wrong."

What's next: Both proposals have been sent to a committee for consideration.

• If approved, they'll come back for a final vote by the full council, which would happen next month at the earliest.
• The budget will be considered in council committees over the coming weeks.