https://abc57.com/news/commission-recommends-2-year-suspension-for-ag-curtis-hill-law-license?fbclid=IwAR1Na7CkN4MfyRi0GMiFmoiUvJUNA2n7vaC3-AsmEGocrL7rPpLhMGugHeo
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has recommended Attorney General Curtis Hill's law license be suspended for two years because of his behavior towards several female colleagues at a bar in Indianapolis.
The commission presented its case before a hearing officer over the course of four days in October.
The court documents lay out the commission's case against Hill.
On March 14, 2018, at the end of the legislative session, legislators, staff and lobbyists gathered at AJ's Lounge in Indianapolis that evening.
The hearing officer found:
Hill committed battery, a class B misdemeanor, when he touched Reardon's back and grabbing her buttocks.
Hill committed battery, a class B misdemeanor, when he touched Reardon's back a second time.
Hill committed battery, a class B misdemeanor, when he put his arm around the legislative assistant's waist and pulled her to him.
Hill committed sexual battery when using force to touch the second legislative assistant's buttocks.
Hill committed battery, a class B misdemeanor, when he rubbed the press secretary's back.
Hill is also accused of inappropriate behavior towards a victim's advocate while he was the Elkhart County Prosecutor.
Hill is alleged to have worked to discredit the victims and the members of the disciplinary commission.
Emails show under Hill's supervision, his paid media consultants and supporters drafted and coordinated op-eds and phony letters to the editor to make it appear as though he has a large number of supporters.
Another email circulated dossiers on the members of the disciplinary commission and discussed sending the info to conservative media, "that Holcomb cronies and liberals are driving this," according to court records.
The hearing officer also alleges Hill used state resources to defend himself. Several emails showed AG employees coordinated the media campaign and corresponded with defense attorneys during work hours, reports said.
It is also alleged Hill showed no remorse and displayed dishonesty during his testimony.
Hill also used defense tactics that focused on what the victims were wearing, what they were drinking, who they were dancing with, if they posed for a photo and whether they were overreacting to flirting, according to court records.
The report did not list any mitigating factors.
In the proposed decision, the hearing officer recommended suspending Hill's law license for 2 years without automatic reinstatement.
[Hill] grabbed, groped, rubbed and touched professional acquaintances and strangers without their consent. He caused them to feel shame, fear, anger and embarrassment. His stature as Attorney General heightened the harm to the Victims and made them rightfully fearful of reacting in the moment and of retaliation for reporting later. Respondent’s conduct for any person is abhorrent. For a lawyer and public official, it establishes a lack of self-restraint that raises questions about fitness in other respects. Respondent’s actions were not the result of a one night of overindulgence, but fit into a pattern of sexually inappropriate behavior.
Respondent’s actions were deliberate and intentional, not inadvertent. He has given false testimony. Respondent has failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing and lacks insight into his misconduct. He has used his office staff and others to create a false narrative to discredit the victims.
The seriousness of this matter cannot be overstated. It is important to restore faith in our legal system. The crimes of the attorney general have dealt a significant blow to that faith and restoration of that faith requires a significant response.
For all of the reason stated above, the Hearing Officer submits that a suspension of no less than two years without automatic reinstatement is appropriate in this case.
Hill filed an opposition to the proposal alleging that even if he had committed the alleged behavior, it has no bearing on his work as an attorney.
He also cited the fact despite a special prosecutor's investigation, no criminal charges were ever filed against him.
The Indiana Supreme Court will determine what discipline Hill will face, if any.
Click here to read the Hearing Officer's proposal, posted by IndianaLawyer.com
http://media.ibj.com/Lawyer/websites/opinions/index.php?pdf=2019/December/CommissionProposal.pdf
Click here to read Hill's proposal in response, posted by IndianaLawyer.comhttp://media.ibj.com/Lawyer/websites/opinions/index.php?pdf=2019/December/HillProposal.pdf