Indianapolis committee approves $300,000 amendment to investigative contract after survivors’ testimony

The Indianapolis City-County Council Admin & Finance Committee approved an amendment to the investigative contract with the law firm Fisher Phillips that adds up to $300,000 to the firm’s work, the committee chair announced after a roll-call vote that ended 7-5 in favor.

The vote followed more than two hours of public comment in which survivors of alleged workplace sexual misconduct, labor and legal advocates, and residents urged broader reforms to city harassment and reporting systems and criticized what they described as omissions and lack of transparency in the Fisher Phillips report.

Emma Davidson, executive director of the National Women’s Defense League, told the committee the issue is systemic and urged the council to adopt stronger, survivor-centered processes. "The people of Indianapolis deserve a government with the ability to respond thoughtfully, fairly, and without political self interest when mistakes come to light," Davidson said. She recommended independent oversight, trauma-informed training, and stronger whistleblower protections.

Multiple women who said they had worked in campaign or city offices described trauma they said was not addressed by existing procedures. Caroline Ehlert, whose remarks were relayed to the committee, said she participated in the Fisher Phillips interviews but was not given a copy of the final report and that the investigators declined requests to disclose the report’s scope and timeline in advance. "Fisher Phillips refused my request to receive the report ahead of time," the statement read.

Lauren Roberts, who identified herself as a former campaign and city staffer, described longstanding harm and the personal impact of the council’s handling of prior meetings. Roberts said the investigative process was retraumatizing and accused council leaders of protecting power rather than survivors. In remarks played and read to the committee, Roberts said the process made her feel dismissed and described escalated trauma after a recent council meeting.

Former city employees and other public commenters pressed the committee on the contract’s billing and scope. Committee members and legal counsel said Fisher Phillips had billed roughly $350,000 to date and that the council had paid approximately $150,000; counsel said the amendment being considered reflected a known total needed to complete the firm's work and recommendations. Committee members asked for, and were told there remains, the ability to seek follow-up answers from the firm under the amended contract.

Advocates proposed concrete policy changes. Maggie Adams McBride, who identified herself as a former city employee and policy advocate, urged the council to broaden the city’s definition of harassment to include psychological abuse and abuse of power, mandate supervisor reporting, require prompt initial assessments (she suggested within three business days), create an independent oversight body for elected officials and senior appointees, and ensure outside contractors and campaign staff are bound by the same standards. "Impact, not just intent, is the decisive factor when determining if harassment has occurred," she said.

Council discussion centered on fiscal oversight and transparency. Several committee members said they had outstanding questions about the Fisher Phillips invoice and the firm’s choices on subpoenas and evidence, and said they wanted those questions answered as the council completes the contract payment. Committee members also said the city must honor legally binding contracts and avoid defaulting on obligations.

The amendment was moved by Councilor Ali Brown (vice president, as referenced during public remarks) and seconded by an unnamed member; the motion passed 7-5. Committee members indicated that approving the amendment would not foreclose additional questions or follow-up with Fisher Phillips under the expanded scope but would allow the firm to complete and finalize the work for which it was hired.

Public commenters, including several survivors and labor representatives, urged additional steps beyond the contract decision: independent investigations for elected officials, transparency about the investigative scope and evidence, and, in many comments, calls for Mayor Joe Hogsett and some council leaders to resign. Committee members repeatedly thanked speakers and said they would review recommendations and seek additional detail before full council action.

The committee’s approval moves the contract amendment forward to the council’s fiscal process. Committee members said they expect further deliberations on policy changes and said some of the reforms proposed by survivors and advocates will inform future ordinances or administrative changes.