INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Democrats on the Indianapolis City-County Council have promised change after shocking allegations of sexual harassment against Thomas Cooka former top aide to Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett.

In a statement, City Council President Vop Osili, Vice President Ali Brown, Majority Leader Maggie Lewis and other Democratic council members – Leroy Robinson, Brienne Delaney, Dan Boots, Nick Roberts, Carlos Perkins, John Barth, Keith Graves, Crista Carlino, Andy Nielsen, Rena Allen , Jessica McCormick, Jared Evans, Kristin Jones, and Frank Mascari — outlined several proposed changes that closely align with demands from Caroline Ellert and Lauren Roberts.

Ellert and Roberts are two former city employees who worked under Thomas Cook. The two sent a letter to city officials detailing how Roberts went to Hogsett with his allegations in May 2017.

The city government investigated and punished Cook in October 2017.

The letter from Ellert and Roberts stated that by the time of Cook’s sentencing he had already begun having inappropriate contact with Ellert.

Roberts and Ellert argued that Cook was not punished enough, allowing him to sexually harass Ellert.

Hogsett eventually punished Cook a second time in October 2020 before allowing him to resign.

Cook later got a job at a prominent law firm in Indianapolis and continued to work with the city government through contracts.

I-Team 8 went to Cook’s home Friday to inquire about the sexual harassment allegations, but no one answered the door.

In their letter to city leaders, Roberts and Ellert said, “We all have a responsibility to disrupt the culture of silence and victim-blaming that gives rise to sexual harassment in the first place and allows it to continue even after a survivor has courageously spoken out. .”

The Democratic council members’ proposed changes to the city board’s sexual harassment policy would have to be approved by the full city council.

The council has a meeting scheduled for Monday night, but it was unclear Friday whether the council will consider the proposed changes at that meeting.

Both Ellert and Roberts said they will be at that meeting.

In a statement, City Council President Vop Osili, Vice President Ali Brown, Majority Leader Maggie Lewis and other Democratic council members – Leroy Robinson, Brienne Delaney, Dan Boots, Nick Roberts, Carlos Perkins, John Barth, Keith Graves, Crista Carlino, Andy Nielsen, Rena Allen , Jessica McCormick, Jared Evans, Kristin Jones, and Frank Mascari — outlined several proposed changes that closely align with demands from Caroline Ellert and Lauren Roberts.

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Statement

“As the legislative branch of local government, we are committed to working together to determine necessary changes to city policies and systems to ensure a safe work environment for all employees, now and in the future. Our priority is to create a workplace where every employee feel safe, valued and supported We are focused on implementing improvements that will provide greater accountability for all leaders, whether elected, appointed or employed.

“To achieve this, we have committed to taking the following actions:

• Create a separate branch of human resources from the administration that specifically addresses sexual harassment and other discrimination-related complaints.
• Create a commission that engages subject matter experts to evaluate the city’s current policies, identify gaps and implement best practices that promote a culture of safety, respect and accountability. This includes but is not limited to the use of the Employee Assistance Program.
• Amend Revised Code Section 293-304 to include all city-county employees in annual mandatory sexual harassment training.

“We recognize that a safe work environment is the foundation of our employees’ well-being and productivity. We are dedicated to taking the necessary steps to achieve this goal. Together, we will build a stronger, safer and more inclusive workplace for everyone.”

City Council President Vop Osili, Vice President Ali Brown, Majority Leader Maggie Lewis and other Democratic Council members Leroy Robinson, Brienne Delaney, Dan Boots, Nick Roberts, Carlos Perkins, John Barth, Keith Graves, Crista Carlino, Andy Nielsen, Rena Allen, Jessica McCormick, Jared Evans, Kristin Jones and Frank Mascari