BLOOMINGTON — An Indiana county commissioner will resign from her position next week amid sexual harassment allegations.
Monroe County Commissioner Amanda Barge will resign effective midnight on April 15, according to her statement.
Barge was running for mayor of Bloomington, but she suspended her campaign after the allegations were reported by the Indiana Daily Student.
The allegations came from a former county contractor. He alleged Barge retaliated when he rejected advances. She has denied the allegations.
Barge’s full statement is below:
The past two weeks have been difficult for this community. It is with a heavy heart and concern for my family that I resign from my position as County Commissioner, effective midnight, April 15, 2019 I have struggled mightily with this decision, and how to defend myself from allegations of sexual harassment in a way that is respectful of everyone involved. I call on our community to develop a process by which these allegations – and any similar allegations in the future against other public officials – be investigated and mediated by an independent third party. Such a process could allow Mr. Drake and me to engage in respectful, independently mediated restorative justice. I am thankful to the voters for this incredible opportunity. It has been an honor to work with the county staff that I have grown to call family and who are the backbone of county government. I am proud of what we accomplished.
