Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett questioned about sexual harassment scandal during Indy chamber event

INDIANAPOLIS — Before his regularly scheduled appearance on a panel of central Indiana mayors, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett was brought up on stage by himself and asked about the ongoing sexual harassment scandal that has plagued his administration and led to numerous calls for him to resign.

Hogsett was asked by the Indy Chamber whether or not the scandal has damaged the reputation of the city.

“I don’t foresee a loss of reputation for the City of Indianapolis,” Hogsett said. “I based that on the fact that over the last year we’ve had record accomplishments.”

He referred to the controversy as a “noisy situation” and said his focus is on moving Indianapolis forward.

“It’s unfortunate, frankly, that so much energy and effort, so much political rhetoric surrounds other things,” Hogsett told the crowd made of Indianapolis business leaders.

The mayor was also questioned about a recent viral incident in which sexual harassment survivor Lauren Roberts was forcibly dragged from the city-county council chambers after going over the speaking limit.

Roberts, along with several other women, have accused Hogsett’s former top aide, Thomas Cook, of sexually harassing them during their time working for the City and Hogsett’s mayoral campaigns.

Council President Vop Osli ordered the deputies to remove Roberts during that meeting and attended the chamber event.

“I think it’s fair to say that what occurred at the City-County Council meeting a week ago Monday is regrettable,” Hogsett said.

In addressing the growing calls for him to resign, Hogsett said he believes they are distracting form the real issue.

“My worry is that the political rhetoric and the tone have taken away from the ultimate mission,” Hogsett said. “And that is to do better than we had before and make the kind of changes that would make our work environment as safe as it possibly can be.”

FOX59 and CBS4 were the only television stations to attend the event, and their crews did so with the intention of asking Hogsett about the most recent call for his resignation that came from Councilor Crista Carlino at a meeting on Tuesday night.

“Joe Hogsett must resign,” Carlino said after that meeting. “And the leadership of this council needs to step down as well, so we can move forward with fidelity in implementing and establishing a culture of trust and respect for all city workers and our constituents in the City of Indianapolis.”

Instead of stopping to answer our questions, Hogsett told his spokesperson he would not be doing interviews and left out a back door.

FOX59/CBS4 followed him out that door where he got into a car and left. A spokesperson for the Mayor grew frustrated and referred FOX59/CBS4 to a previous statement.

“I don’t think he has any obligation to give you more sound when he’s answered the same question over and over again,” the spokesperson said.

“I think he has every obligation because he’s the Mayor,” FOX59/CBS4 reporter Max Lewis said in response.