Report: Former Indiana Secretary of Public Safety was under ethics investigation

INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Mike Braun’s now-former Secretary of Public Safety Jennifer-Ruth Green was being investigated for ethics violations and sexual harassment before she resigned last week, according to a report in the Indiana Capital Chronicle (ICC).

The publication obtained a remediation agreement, which revealed that Gov. Braun allowed Green to continue in her position while the investigation into her conduct played out.

That changed last week when the governor’s office received a report on the findings of that investigation and, during a meeting with Green on Friday, she submitted her resignation.

According to the ICC’s reporting, Green used state-issued vehicles and credit cards for personal and political events. She was also accused of having her staff do personal errands at her home.

The outlet revealed that the first complaints about Green came just weeks into her tenure.

“It is concerning that you would have so many violations within a short period of time,” UIndy political science professor Laura Wilson said. “I think that part is kind of dramatic, actually, and pretty unusual.”

The most egregious allegations revolve around her treatment of employees.

The investigation found that Green made comments about the bodies of female employees and committed what was described as “uninvited touching.” The report says she would also discuss intimate subjects at work.

Wilson said the scope of the investigation is concerning.

“The concern is when you see this pattern of impropriety continue, and in this case, it seems in multiple areas,” Wilson said.

Green pushed back against the accusations reported by the ICC.

“I am disappointed and disgusted by these baseless allegations, but it’s not the first time in my time in public life I’ve faced false, politically motivated leaks designed to assassinate my character,” Green wrote. “I am pursuing legal options to address this, and believe this leak shows the reality of the environment that led me to resign.”

The investigation against her is not listed publicly, but the state Ethics Commission is set to discuss an “individual’s alleged misconduct” during an executive session on Thursday morning.