Diego Morales Hires His Brother-In-Law Into Six-Figure Position

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By Ashlyn Myers, TheStatehouseFile.com

By Sydney Byerly, TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—In a story that broke earlier this week in The Indianapolis Star, it was revealed that the relatively new Indiana secretary of state, Diego Morales, hired a relative—his brother-in-law—for a six-figure position as the co-director of the Auto Dealer Services Division.

In potentially the most anticipated race of the election, the secretary of state race, Republican Diego Morales won out over Democrat Destiny Wells and Libertarian Jeff Maurer on Election Day 2022. Morales thanked God in his acceptance speech, repeated a handful of times that “truth always prevails” in both Spanish and English, and dedicated his victory to his parents who immigrated to Sellersburg when he was a boy.

Some questioned whether or not this practice would break Indiana nepotism laws. Interestingly enough, the law accounts for nearly every type of immediate relationship except for brother-in-law or sister-in-law, even including son-in-law or daughter-in-law.

Deputy Secretary of State Jerry Bonnet confirmed it for The Star and said Morales’ brother-in-law, Shawn Grady, was recommended for the position because of his extensive experience in auto sales.

Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, questioned the hiring, saying, “It’s disappointing but certainly not surprising to hear that Secretary of State Diego Morales is making unethical decisions about hiring.

“We’ve already seen him use questionable judgment about spending campaign funds, so this recent decision to create a high-paying position for a relative seems consistent with his past behavior. Hoosiers should be disgusted by this self-serving action and that our weak ethics laws allow it to happen.’’

In a news release Thursday, Mike Schmuhl, the chair of the Indiana Democratic Party, shared similar concerns, saying, “This kind of nepotism erodes trust in government and compromises the ability of public officials to serve Hoosiers transparently and effectively. After just a few weeks on the job, Diego Morales has shown that he will lead the Secretary of State’s office exactly the way he campaigned: by bringing his baggage into office and eroding the integrity of the office itself.

“Diego Morales should rescind the appointment and commit to transparent and fair hiring practices in the future—rather than hiring people for the personal gain of himself and his family.”

In an availability on Thursday in the House Chamber, Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, shared his thoughts on Morales’ hiring scandal,

“I hate to see that we’re already six weeks into his administration and there’s some questions about, you know, hiring practices,” he said. “Legislatively, we should do everything we can to kind of strengthen the nepotism law.”

This is not the first time that Morales has faced scrutiny. During his campaign for secretary of state, two women accused Morales of sexual harassment in a report by IndyPolitics.org.

Additionally, Morales faced scrutiny for his work performance in his prior employment with the secretary of state office over 10 years ago.

Morales has not made statements regarding his brother-in-law’s employment

FOOTNOTE: Ashlyn Myers is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. Democrats don’t ever stop their character assassinations and the liberal journalism school site doesn’t ever stop playing it up.

    • .
      .
      Well VICTORY. Some people say cucumbers taste better pickled.
      Did you know that VICTORY?

      Now, I will grant you, cucumbers and pickles have nothing to do with this story about a politician ignoring nepotism laws. But since VICTORY’s comment has absolutely nothing to do with this story either, it seemed like the thing to say.

      • If you read the article, the last sentence in the second paragraph actually says he’s not ignoring nepotism laws. For your benefit, this appears to be the thing to point out as it must have gotten by you on your way to being insulting.

        Now, I will grant you, I prefer cucumbers, as that bit of info about me seems of concern to you, as it really doesn’t have anything to do with my post nor this story.

        • Aaah. I get it. The guys is ignoring nepotism laws by hiring HIS SISTER’s husband, but since he says he says he isn’t, you accept that as truth.
          You are saying, VICTORY, since he is a Republican, that his nepotism is ok.

          NO, YOU ARE WRONG.
          Nepotism by a government official is wrong no matter what your political party.

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