The Lead Off
- A former employee of the Indiana Veteran’s Home faces felony charges for theft and official misconduct following an Inspector General investigation.
- Investigators allege he used a state vehicle and state time for unauthorized travel across multiple states.
- Court records and GPS data were cited as key evidence in the case filed in Marion County.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) A former Indiana state employee is facing criminal charges after investigators allege he used state resources in ways inconsistent with his job duties, according to court records and the Office of the Inspector General.
Charges filed in Marion County
Steven L. Harris, a former employee of the Indiana Veteran’s Home Indiana Veteran’s Home, has been charged with theft and official misconduct according to CBS-4.
The case was filed in Marion County in January, and Harris had an initial hearing in March, according to court documents. Both charges are Level 6 felonies, each carrying a potential sentence of up to two and a half years.
A pretrial conference is scheduled for June 2.
Inspector general investigation
The case stems from an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General after a complaint of alleged ghost employment was received in May 2024, one week after Harris resigned from his position.
Harris worked as a program director and marketing coordinator for the Indiana Veteran’s Home from January 2023 until his resignation in May 2024.
Indiana Inspector General Jared Prentice said investigators and agency cooperation uncovered evidence that led to criminal charges.
“Our investigators’ diligence and the Indiana Veterans’ Home’s full cooperation uncovered evidence that warranted certifying these charges to the prosecutor,” Prentice said. “The prosecutor’s decision to file those charges demonstrates that accountability in state government is not optional — for anyone.”
Allegations involving travel and state vehicle use
Court documents allege Harris used a state-issued vehicle and state time in ways inconsistent with his assigned duties, including unauthorized travel to Ohio, Missouri, and Kentucky.
Investigators also reviewed bereavement leave taken by Harris in April 2024, during which he reportedly said he was traveling for a family death. Court records state inconsistencies emerged after his significant other contacted the office and reported he had left in a state vehicle and had not been seen for days, and said there was no knowledge of a family death.
GPS and phone data findings
Investigators reviewed GPS and cellphone data that they say contradicted Harris’ reported work activity.
- Records indicate Harris traveled to multiple Indiana counties while assigned to outreach duties.
- Phone data allegedly showed he remained in Marion County during periods he reported being in other counties.
- Additional tracking data placed him in Wilberforce, Ohio, on at least one date he reported being in Indiana counties.
According to investigators, Harris claimed to have visited nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and senior centers as part of his job duties, but a supervisor told investigators she could not verify visits at nearly 95 facilities contacted.
The supervisor also reported that most facilities had “never heard of” the Indiana Veteran’s Home, according to court documents.
Investigation findings and resignation
Harris’ employment records show he resigned in May 2024, shortly before the Inspector General’s Office received a formal complaint.
Investigators concluded that his reported work activity did not align with GPS and phone tracking data, which they say formed a key basis for the charges.
Next steps in court
The case remains pending in Marion County. Harris is scheduled to appear for a pretrial conference on June 2 as proceedings move forward.
The Takeaway
Former state employee faces felony charges tied to work conduct
Steven L. Harris, a former Indiana Veteran’s Home employee, is charged with theft and official misconduct following an Inspector General investigation.
Investigators cite GPS and phone data in misconduct allegations
Authorities say tracking data contradicted reported work travel and showed unauthorized use of a state vehicle across multiple states.
Case scheduled for pretrial as legal process continues
The Marion County case is moving forward, with a pretrial conference set for June 2 as prosecutors and defense prepare for further proceedings.
1 comment
This news article made me chuckle.
Mr. Harris is quite the dunce, if you ask me. In this day and age, it seems almost everything can track you and/or see you!
So, if you are doing something that may be frowned upon, ..in certain circles, odds are you’re being monitored.
And if you think you’ll get away with it, you’re as gullible as Steven Harris!
If you can afford it, watch some of the Crime shows on Netflix..
You will see, Global & Cellular Positioning and Camera Systems will Track and Timestamp the person that is in question.
Indiana State, You guys are really making my head spin with this one…
So, let me try to understand this. ..i’m a little slow, sometimes. Let me equate the Indiana Government like … oh, i don’t know, a real work environment. I am a boss. I am the State Government.
I govern my employees.
Now, if i have employees, and say, ‘ i don’t trust them’. So, then i am going to take extra measures & cost to keep an eye on them, to prevent them from further stealing from me?
How about if i just let them go, at the first sign of stealing? Is it that difficult to place that into their hiring packet?
If they said they went here, the odometer says something different; You’re disciplined.
The last thing you really want to get out, to your Board of Directors, is that you take pride in having dishonest sub-par employees working for you!
In this case the Board would be .. Uh .. like the Tax Payers of Indiana.
God knows i wouldn’t want them finding out a better way of running the State, if it doesn’t involve me! I have to find a way to keep this hush hush from the Board. The less they know.. the better off we ALL are!