INDIANAPOLIS – Attorney General Curtis Hill’s law license will be suspended for 30 days following allegations of sexual misconduct against four women at a 2018 party, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Monday.
Hill is accused of inappropriately touching four women at a party at AJ’s Lounge on March 15, 2018.
The court found that Hill violated two professional conduct rules, 8.4 (b) and 8.4 (d). The first was to “commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects” and the second was to “engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice."
“And having reviewed the record, we readily conclude there is ample evidence showing that the manner of [Hill’s] touches was both ‘rude’ and ‘insolent,’” the Supreme Court opinion states. “The four women each were clear and unequivocal in their testimony regarding Respondent’s specific acts, and to varying extents the acts described by the four women (and the women’s reactions in the aftermath of those acts) were witnessed by each other and by other people at the bar.”
The Republican attorney general has denied the allegations and a special prosecutor declined in October to pursue any criminal charges against him. Hill’s license will be reinstated automatically after the 30-day suspension, which begins on May 18.
Legally, it’s unclear what this means for Hill as an attorney general in Indiana during those 30 days, or if he can run for reelection. A bill that would’ve removed him from office if his law license was suspended popped up in the Indiana Statehouse late in the session but died before becoming law.
But Hill seems to have answered that question himself. He named Chief Deputy Aaron Negangard in charge of the office until his license is reinstated.
Hill's full response is below:
“I accept with humility and respect the Indiana Supreme Court’s ruling of a 30-day suspension of my license with automatic reinstatement.
“I have directed that beginning Monday, May 18, Chief Deputy Aaron Negangard will assume responsibility for the legal operations of this office during the temporary suspension of my license until it is reinstated on Wednesday, June 17.
“I offer my deepest gratitude to my family, friends and the entire staff of the Office of the Attorney General. My staff has worked tirelessly and without interruption and will continue to do so on behalf of all Hoosiers.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | AG Curtis Hill could be removed from office if license gets suspended, under Statehouse bill|DAY 1: Four women recount accusations in first day | DAY 2: When Hill became 'defiant' over his allegations|DAY 3: Woman says Hill propositioned her for sex in 2016 |Curtis Hill Disciplinary Commission Hearing Day 4: Hill denies sexual touching: "It didn't happen." | Attorney General Curtis Hill is running for reelection in 2020
