INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is scheduled to go on trial in front of a jury next week, nearly seven years after being accused of drunkenly groping an elected official and several staffers at a bar while in office in 2018.
Four women came forward in 2018 with allegations that Hill groped them on March 15 of that year during an end-of-legislative-session party at A.J.’s Lounge in Indianapolis. Court documents allege that Hill was drunk, acting "creepy" and inappropriately touching the four women.
Hill has consistently denied the accusations and said that the "false" and "vicious" statements "irretrievably damaged" his reputation. Despite Gov. Eric Holcomb and many other state Republican leaders calling for Hill to resign in 2018, the former AG remained in office until failing to be reelected in 2020.
While no criminal charges were filed against Hill after a special prosecutor reviewed the case, in 2020 the Indiana Supreme Court found "clear and convincing evidence that (Hill) committed the criminal act of battery" and ordered a 30-day suspension of his law license.
The accusers - former Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon and three legislative staffers, Niki DaSilva, Samantha Lozano and Gabrielle McLemore - originally filed a civil suit against Hill in 2019 in U.S. District Court. After that case was dismissed in 2020, the women re-filed in state court.
The lawsuit accuses Hill of civil battery, defamation and false light invasion of privacy. Court documents show the women also claim Hill made false and defamatory statements about them after they originally came forward with the groping allegations.
Lawyers representing the four women say they are now asking the court to require Hill to retract his statements, as well as award damages for both mental anguish and emotional distress. To read a full copy of the complaint, click here.
Court officials confirmed to FOX59/CBS4 on Wednesday that Hill's civil jury trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, Dec. 9, and end on Friday, Dec. 13.
Hill served as Indiana Attorney General from 2017 until 2021 when he was replaced by current AG Todd Rokita. He also ran a gubernatorial campaign earlier this year but was defeated by Governor-elect Mike Braun.