Fisher Phillips gives interim update to Indianapolis investigative committee on harassment probe

An independent law firm retained to investigate harassment allegations involving city–county employees presented an interim report to the Indianapolis–Marion County City–County Council investigative committee on Feb. 26, saying its review of documents and interviews is continuing and that a final report with recommendations will follow once its work is complete.

The update came during a regularly scheduled meeting of the investigative committee in Room 260 of the City–County Building. Chairwoman Krista Carlino opened the meeting and said the committee had requested an interim report by Feb. 28; Fisher Phillips delivered its update two days early.

The interim report summarized the firm’s work to date: collection and review of documents and media coverage, interviews with Office of Corporation Counsel (OCC) and human resources staff, partial interviews with two known complainants (with follow-up interviews pending), a comparative review of how other U.S. cities structure reporting and investigatory procedures, and analysis of the city–county’s recently introduced anonymous reporting tool, Speakfully. Danielle Case, a partner at Fisher Phillips, said the firm has “made substantial progress on every element of the second phase, and we intend to provide the final report containing a detailed explanation of our investigation and comprehensive policy recommendations, if any, at the conclusion of our investigation.”

Fisher Phillips described its document review as iterative and ongoing. The firm reported receiving multiple productions from the city–county attorneys totaling more than 850 pages and said its overall document review exceeds 1,000 documents. The firm also said it has monitored relevant media coverage and public social media material as part of its inquiry.

The firm told the committee it has interviewed the chief of the Office of Corporation Counsel and the human resources director to understand how complaints and investigatory processes have been handled. Case said the firm completed an initial interview with one complainant (with counsel) and had agreed to reschedule an interview with the other complainant at that complainant’s request. She also said Fisher Phillips hopes to interview the mayor once additional underlying materials and interviews are complete.

Committee members asked for more detail. Councilor Josh Bain asked whether the firm could disclose search terms used to review emails and texts; Case declined to provide search terms while the investigation remains active, citing confidentiality and the integrity of the ongoing review. Councilor Bridal Mowery asked whether the firm had been in contact with the administration; Case said the firm’s principal points of contact within the administration have been OCC and HR. Councilor Andy Nielsen said he supported continuing the independent investigation and urged patience as Fisher Phillips completes its work.

Fisher Phillips said it has reviewed reporting structures in several comparable cities—Dallas, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Louisville, Philadelphia, Kansas City and St. Louis—and plans to include a comparative analysis in its final report to the committee. The firm also reviewed the city–county’s January 29 presentation on the anonymous reporting tool Speakfully and said it will include an assessment of that tool in the final report.

Committee members and the firm discussed timing but did not set a firm deadline for the final report. Chairwoman Krista Carlino said no future investigative-committee meeting is currently scheduled while Fisher Phillips continues its work; she said she personally hopes the committee can meet by June 1 but emphasized the timeline is “fluid” and that the committee does not want to rush the investigation.

The committee packet included a note that the council originally allocated $50,000 under General Resolution 41 to fund the initial investigative work. Chairwoman Carlino told the committee that three invoices related to the investigation have been delivered to the council office totaling just under $100,000; two invoices have been paid, totaling just under $80,000. Carlino said that, because work remains on phase 2 and a final phase, the committee may need to amend the legislation or otherwise address additional funding needs.

No formal votes or policy decisions were taken at the Feb. 26 meeting. Fisher Phillips indicated it will continue document collection, additional interviews and analysis and will provide a final written report with recommendations when its investigation is complete.

Next steps: Fisher Phillips will continue its investigative phases, attempt additional interviews (including one with the mayor once scheduling and underlying material permit), complete its comparative analysis and include an assessment of Speakfully in its final report to the committee. The committee indicated it will consider scheduling future hearings after Fisher Phillips completes additional work and provides further updates.