AG Hill Unapologetic Amid Sexual Harassment Accusations

At a Monday press conference, Curtis Hill said he is falsely accused and won't be resigning.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill says he wants his name back.

Hill, a Republican, is facing accusations that he groped and sexually harassed four women at an Indianapolis bar last March.

While GOP Governor Eric Holcomb and lawmakers from both parties have asked Hill to resign his elected office, he remained defiant during a press conference held Monday morning outside his office at the Indiana Statehouse.

"I now stand falsely and publicly accused of abhorrent behavior," Hill told a room full of reporters and cameras. “These false allegations have irretrievably damaged my reputation.”

Hill said he wants a full, independent investigation. He added that he respects the governor, but wished Holcomb would have spoken with him prior to calling for a resignation. A confidential report leaked to The Indianapolis Star last week, Hill said, is materially inaccurate.

“These calls for my resignation are unwarranted and should be rescinded.”

The Indiana Inspector General, at the request of legislative leaders, has launched an investigation into the women’s allegations

“A week ago today I had a name, and I want my name back,” he concluded the press conference before returning to his office without taking questions from reporters, citing the impending investigation.

Two women have publicly stepped out as two of the four alleged victims of the inappropriate touching they say Hill committed. They are Democratic State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon (D-Munster) and Senate Democratic Communications Director Gabrielle McLemore.

Reardon claims that Hill grabbed her buttocks at that downtown Indianapolis bar on the final night of the 2018 legislative session. Following Hill’s press conference, Reardon issued a statement calling Hill a liar about what happened.

“When we take the oath of office, to serve the citizens of Indiana, we agree to be held to a certain standard and honor the trust the public has placed in us. Curtis Hill, through his actions has betrayed the public trust, and lied about his actions to the very citizens he serves. I will continue to cooperate with any and all investigations into this matter until such a time that Curtis Hill is held accountable for his abhorrent behavior,” she said.

Senate Democrat Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) also issued a statement that he is disappointed Hill is taking such a stance.

“Comments during his press conference and his posturing on his own campaign website are inappropriate. I am also disturbed and angered by the tone he has taken in trying to discredit and intimidate the victims of his egregious behavior,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that the Attorney General has decided to remain in his seat as Indiana’s chief law enforcement officer, instead of stepping aside. These allegations will continue to discredit this important office, and is an unnecessary distraction from the work that needs to be carried out by his office.”

“Today, I reinforce my call for his resignation, and am glad that leaders and elected officials from both parties, including the governor, have joined me in this call.”

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