WAYNE TOWNSHIP — Local business owner Jeb Bardon, a Democrat, was unanimously elected as the new Wayne Township Trustee Saturday.
“Restoring trust and accountability to this office is an enormous responsibility and I am honored to be given the opportunity to do that as Wayne Township Trustee,” said Bardon in a news release. “My top priorities will be to improve transparency, financial oversight, and overall services to the public as well as to recover any taxpayer dollars that have been misused. Today marks a fresh start for Wayne Township and I am excited to get to work.”
Bardon replaces former trustee Chuck Jones, who resigned on June 27. Previously, Jones had refused requests from his fellow Democratic leaders to step down from office.
PREVIOUS | Democrats ask Chuck Jones to step down | Charges filed following WRTV Investigation into Wayne Township fire admin compensation
Jones and three other current and former Wayne Township employees pleaded guilty last month to Conflict of Interest, a high-level misdemeanor, following a 2021 WRTV investigation into compensation involving a nonprofit.
Prosecutors allege between December 20, 2019, and May 19, 2021, they "knowingly or intentionally" profited from contracts between the nonprofit, Wayne Township Fire Department, Inc, and the fire department.
As WRTV reported in 2021, township officials have been receiving compensation through the nonprofit, which is funded through donations and taxpayer money.
PREVIOUS: Township trustee and fire employees owe taxpayers $351K, audit reveals
Their criminal charge can be expunged after a year if they pay the money back to the taxpayers.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Indiana law says Chuck Jones will no longer be allowed to serve as an elected public official.
“Jeb Bardon is a true public servant, who is humble, hard-working, and will always do what’s best for the taxpayers of Wayne Township. He is the perfect person to unite our community and to bring the changes needed to this office,” said Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell in an email. “We are thrilled with the outcome of the caucus and look forward to all the good work Trustee Bardon will do.”
Bardon assumes office immediately and will serve out the remainder of Jones’ term, which ends on December 31, 2022. He currently owns and operates three Subway franchises and previously served as a state representative from 1998 through 2014.
Voters will elect a new township trustee, Bardon or Republican Rick Scott, on November 8, 2022.
PREVIOUS | Wayne Township Fire Chief, Trustee face questions over nonprofit compensation | Wayne Township Fire Department administrators take heat over overtime pay | New fire chief pledges changes to payroll |City-County councilors say Wayne Twp nonprofit should be dissolved following WRTV Investigation | Wayne Township fire chief, administration can no longer receive overtime pay under new ordinance
-
Rob Gronkowski named Grand Marshal of Indy 500 Snake Pit
Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski is has been tapped to be the grand marshal of the Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit on Wednesday.
Driver killed in US 31 fatal crash identified
The Hamilton County Coroner has identified the driver of the deadly crash that closed a part of US 31 for several hours on Wednesday.
Three shot, two in critical condition on eastside of Indianapolis
Two people are in critical condition, and another is in stable condition following a shooting on the east side Wednesday afternoon, said the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.
Indiana State Police solve 53-year-old murder case
The Indiana State Police Cold Case Unit has identified the killer in the murder of the 1972 killing of 26-year-old Phyllis Bailer.
