INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb did no wrongdoing when accepting two free flights to Republican Governor’s Association events, paid for by a gaming business, the state’s inspector general found.
An investigation into the two flights started in the spring, when Indianapolis Star reported that the CEO of Spectacle Entertainment provided Holcomb and his wife free travel twice in a private plane. At the time, Spectacle was pushing for changes to the state’s gambling laws.
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The Indiana Inspector General investigates allegations of criminal activity and ethics violations in state government. The OIG did not open an investigation into the gift rule, which prohibits a state employee from accepting a gift from somebody who is seeking to influence the employee. The gift rule does not apply to the governor, the OIG’s letter said.
The OIG did investigate whether Holcomb failed to disclose information about gifts received. The OIG found the gifts, in this case the two flights to RGA events, were provided to the RGA – not to Holcomb’s office.
“Based on the investigation, the OIG found that neither the Governor nor the First Lady accepted the flights to the RGA events as gifts from an entity or entities with a business relationship with the Governor’s Office,” the report states in the conclusion.
The case was closed for insufficient cause. To read the full inspector general report, click here.
