Just In: AG Hill Faces Disciplinary Charges For Alleged Sexual Misconduct

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Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is facing formal ethics charges from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, which filed a complaint against Hill on Tuesday over accusations of sexual misconduct made by four women. The attorney misconduct charges could impact Hill’s legal ability to continue serving as AG.
The complaint, filed in In the Matter of Curtis T. Hill, Jr., 19S-DI-00156, alleges Hill, an elected official, and the state’s highest law enforcement officer, violated Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b) and (d) and Indiana Rule of Admission and Discipline 22 when he allegedly groped a female lawmaker and three legislative staffers at an end-of-session party last March. Democratic Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, Reardon aid Samantha Lozano, Senate Democratic communications director Gabrielle McLemore and Senate Republican aid Niki DaSilva each alleged Hill inappropriately touched them during a March 14, 2018, party at AJ’s Lounge in downtown Indianapolis.
Specifically, Reardon has alleged that Hill rubbed his hand down her bare back and grabbed or touched her buttocks at least once, then touched her bare back a second time. Likewise, McLemore has alleged Hill rubbed his hand up and down her back “for a significant period of time,” while Lozano said the AG “wrapped his arm around (her) wait and pulled her close to him.” DaSilva alleges Hill rubbed his hand up and down her back, and when she tried to push him away, he grabbed her hand and put both of their hands on her buttocks.
This conduct, according to the disciplinary complaint, would constitute Class B misdemeanor battery and Level 6 felony sexual battery. However, a special prosecutor last year declined to press charges against Hill.

The complaint says Hill, by virtue of being the elected attorney general, “has a heightened duty of ethical conduct that is long established in Indiana ethics law.” His “ethical violations and offensive conduct reflect poorly on the legal profession and does incalculable harm to the public perception of the Attorney General’s office and all the state agencies it represents.”

For his part, the AG has vehemently denied the allegations, which the commission has interpreted as Hill denying responsibility. The commission also alleges Hill lacks remorse and acted “with the selfish motive to arouse his sexual desires.”

The Disciplinary Commission urged the Indiana Supreme Court to discipline Hill for professional misconduct and to order him to pay the costs of the proceedings. The AG’s Office did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment about the complaint.

Potential discipline could make Hill ineligible to serve. Indiana’s attorney general by statute must have an Indiana bar license status of acting in good standing.

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