Andy East

2 weeks ago | therepublic.com | Andy East

The Bartholomew County Election Board has asked a judge to order a former Columbus mayor candidate to pay $2,375 for failing to file a required campaign finance report and reimburse the board for attorney’s fees. The three-member bipartisan board filed the request in Bartholomew Circuit Court against former mayoral candidate Sean Burton, according to court records. Burton ran as an independent in the 2023 municipal election, losing to Republican nominee Mary Ferdon by a margin of 73% to 27%.

3 weeks ago | therepublic.com | Andy East

State records show that Columbus Township reported spending more than $900,000 from its township assistance fund to make credit card payments as former Trustee Ben Jackson was allegedly using the card to rack up $1.12 million in personal expenses. The records show that Columbus Township reported $918,707 in credit card expenses in its township assistance fund from 2016 to 2024.

3 weeks ago | therepublic.com | Andy East

A Bartholomew County judge has recused jurisdiction and ordered the appointment of a special judge in a divorce case involving former Columbus Township Trustee Ben Jackson. On Tuesday, Bartholomew Circuit Judge Kelly Benjamin cited a conflict of interest and gave the parties seven days to agree upon a special judge to preside over the case, according to court records.

3 weeks ago | therepublic.com | Andy East

The Diesel Workers Union is refusing to comment on a letter it sent to members announcing an authorization to strike vote as it continues contract negotiations with Cummins Inc. The letter, dated June 3, states that the DWU Bargaining Committee met with Cummins officials this week and the company did not give an offer or proposal to present to union members for a vote, according to a copy of the letter.

4 weeks ago | therepublic.com | Andy East

Experts say that Indiana’s township governments may be particularly vulnerable to mismanagement, misuse of funds and corruption largely because they face little state oversight and often escape public scrutiny. A check of Bartholomew County’s township government criminal cases show that misuse of funds has happened here over the years.