Indy Star: Ex-Intern Claims Indiana House Speaker Intimidated Her

Thursday, October 11th, 2018 7:25am

By Mike Perleberg and Benjamin Yount, 24/7 News Source @mikedup84

House Speaker Brian Bosma is refuting the allegations published Wednesday by The Indianapolis Star.

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis)

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A former statehouse intern says Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma tried to intimidate her over a sexual encounter claim.

The report by The Indianapolis Star comes as Bosma works on the first-ever sexual harassment policy for state lawmakers, and after he investigated groping claims against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill.

The woman was 20-years-old at the time of the alleged act in 1992. Bosma was married.

She is not accusing Bosma of a crime. Instead, she says he paid a law firm $40,000 to gather unfavorable information about her, then threatened to reveal it if she went public.

Bosma, a Republican from Indianapolis, released a statement responding to the Indy Star report.

“This unsubstantiated story from over 26 years ago is unequivocally false. It wasn’t true then and it’s not true now. The source of this claim has been entirely discredited on several occasions and no responsible journalist would publish it. My engagement of Linda Pence, a well-respected attorney and Democrat, was for the purpose of protecting my reputation from a false story by the Indianapolis Star.”

Bosma supported an investigation of Curtis Hill this past summer after four women brought forth sexual assault allegations against him. Hill has vehemently denied the allegations and has resisted calls to resign from office.

Now, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody is calling on Governor Eric Holcomb to bring “an exhaustive, impartial investigation into this serious allegation of intimidation” against Bosma.

“We believe that Speaker Bosma’s actions appear to be tactics used to intimidate. That women must fear coercion and strong-arming by powerful elected officials to discredit and deter them from coming forward is sickening. If the allegations of intimidation are true, they are deeply troubling. What’s clear is there are more questions than answers here. In the past, Governor Holcomb has rightfully supported a ‘thorough’ investigation into similar matters,” Zody said Wednesday.

Events

Rock to End Alzheimer's Concert Benefit
Come out for the 5th annual concert benefit Saturday February 23rd at The Gibson! Jessie Strassell will be opening for The Boehringers. $5 at the door. Doors open at 7:15 and music starts at 8! There will be Wine & Beer, Split The Pot. All ages welcome. Come out to listen to some great music by some local talent and help raise awareness for the disease. Like our page on Facebook!
23rd Feb at Gibson Theatre
E6 Catholic Men's Conference
Men from in and around Eagle Country will soon gather in St. Leon to engage into a deeper relationship with Christ.
23rd Feb at East Central High School
4-H Outdoor Skills
Outdoor Skills is a new discipline withing the shooting sports program. We meet monthly, year round and learn about everything outdoors. We go on fishing trips, hiking, Red Wolf Sanctuary, the Oxbow, learn about shelters, how to build a fire, outdoor cooking, first aid, plants, animals, tools and maintenance, and so much more. We are currently working on a canoe trip and a camping trip. Please call Cari at (513) 266-9361 or Greg at (812) 655-1354 for more information.
23rd Feb at Dearborn County 4-H

East Central, Rivals Mourn Loss Of "Big Bad Brett"

Students at East Central High School, and those at schools he once competed against on the football field, are in shock over the death of senior Brett Fox.

Ohio River Could Reach Flood Stage Again This Weekend

Heavy rain expected Saturday may cause the river to rise to flood stage by Sunday.

Ohio Man Caught Selling Meth In Florence Sentenced To Prison

Sentencing was handed down on Thursday.