INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A monthslong investigation into former Indiana schools Superintendent Tony Bennett’s use of state staff and resources during his 2012 re-election campaign found ample evidence to support federal wire fraud charges, according to a copy of the 95-page report viewed by The Associated Press.
Despite the recommendation that charges be pursued, Bennett has never faced prosecution for such allegations – which could have carried up to 20 years in prison.
The report, completed by the Indiana inspector general’s office in February, said that an investigator found more than 100 instances in which Bennett or his employees violated federal wire fraud law. That contrasts sharply with an eight-page formal report issued in July that said the office found minimal violations, resulting in a $5,000 fine and an admonishment that Bennett could have rewritten rules to allow some campaign work on state time.
Inspector General David Thomas, who is leaving office this month, did not explain the discrepancies in a brief email Tuesday, but said the investigation was submitted to state and federal prosecutors. However, the full report compiled from the six-month investigation, which is closely guarded, clearly shows that Thomas’ investigator believed grounds existed for charges against Bennett.
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry, tasked with investigating corruption at the Statehouse, said his investigators determined the evidence against Bennett was “minimal” and “inappropriate to pursue any type of criminal charges.” He added that the inspector general’s own punishment made it less likely for his office to pursue charges.