INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Gov. Mike Pence is standing by outgoing Inspector General David Thomas amid questions about an investigation into whether former schools Superintendent Tony Bennett misused state resources for his 2012 re-election campaign.
Pence said Thursday he has “great confidence'' in the investigation, which has been kept under wraps. An Associated Press review of the report found the investigator had recommended Bennett face federal wire fraud charges. Another letter obtained by The Associated Press suggested Bennett could have faced state ghost employment charges as well.
Bennett has not been charged. He paid a $5,000 fine for ethics violations but admitted no wrongdoing as part of a settlement.
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said Wednesday that he never received the Bennett report despite Thomas's contention that he provided it to Curry in February.
