Councilor Crista Carlino leaves Democratic Caucus of Indianapolis City-County Council

INDIANAPOLIS — Councilor Crista Carlino announced that she is stepping aside from the Democratic Caucus of the Indianapolis City-County Council.

In a statement shared with FOX59/CBS4 Monday night, Carlino confirmed the decision while stating that she would continue to serve in her role as District 11 representative. Carlino, who also serves as the chair of the council’s investigative committee, called for Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to step down last month during an Admin and Finance Committee meeting.

Since then, Carlino has faced criticism from other Democrats on the council after she also called for Council President Vop Osili and Vice President Ali Brown to resign from their respective roles.

In her statement, Carlino attributed her decision to the “continued lack of leadership and accountability, abuse of power, and unfair application of our Caucus rules for membership.”

She added that she had no plans to caucus with any party for the “foreseeable future.”

Concerns have been growing among council members following the release of an independent report prepared by Fisher Phillips, a law firm the council hired to investigate Hogsett’s handling of sexual harassment allegations leveled against his former aide, Thomas Cook.

Fellow Democrat and Councilor Jesse Brown confirmed in February that he was also removed from the Democratic caucus over a dispute with other democrats on Indianapolis Public Schools sharing funding with charter schools.

“I am disappointed, but believe this is the best decision at this time. I assure my constituents I will not cease in standing up for what I believe in and speaking the truth,” the statement concluded.