DAGA Statement on the Indiana State Supreme Court’s Decision to Suspend Republican AG Curtis Hill’s Law License

May 11, 2020

The Indiana Supreme Court to Suspend AG Hill’s Law License for “Acts of Misdemeanor Battery” that “[Violate] Indiana Professional Conduct Rules”

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) released the following statement from Executive Director Sean Rankin regarding the decision by the Indiana State Supreme Court to suspend Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill’s law license. The suspension follows credible accusations of sexual misconduct. The suspension, which prohibits AG Curtis Hill from practicing law in Indiana, will start May 18.

Statement from Sean Rankin, Executive Director of the Democratic Attorneys General Association:

“For nearly two years – 705 days – the Republican Attorneys General Association and its AGs have failed the test of leadership, choosing not only to keep quiet on the sexual misconduct of one of its members, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, but recently investing in his 2020 re-election campaign. Today, AG Hill’s law license was suspended for 30 days. That is barely a slap on the wrist and a nod to election year politics, allowing Hill’s license to be reinstated conveniently the day before the Republican Party’s nominating convention on June 19th. But if RAGA and the Republican Party of Indiana want to leave this one up to the voters to decide, then they all better be ready for an expensive fight that will burn one message into the minds of voters by election day: Curtis Hill, the would-be Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the state of Indiana, was found by the Indiana Supreme Court to have committed sexual misconduct and battery.”

Additional Information

  • Indiana AG Curtis Hill was credibly accused by four women, including a state lawmaker, of sexual misconduct during a post-legislative session party.
  • The Indiana Supreme Court decided to suspend Indiana’s attorney general for 30 days.
    • The suspension, which prohibits AG Curtis Hill from practicing law in Indiana, will start May 18, according to the document.
    • “We find, as did the hearing officer, that Respondent committed acts of misdemeanor battery, conduct that under the circumstances of this case violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules 8.4(b) and 8.4(d).”
    • Once the 30 days is up, the AG will be automatically reinstated as long as no other suspensions have been put in place.
  • RAGA continues to support AG Hill, investing $25,000 earlier this year and has yet to publicly address any of the allegations toward AG Curtis Hill. It’s been almost 2 years since allegations were made public.
  • An independent ethics official recommended AG Hill lose his law license for 2 years and another official recommended he lose his law license for 60 days.
  • Statewide Republicans including the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate distanced themselves, calling on him to resign back in 2018.
  • Democratic AG candidates have outraised Republican AG candidates, including incumbent Curtis Hill.

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