WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill bought online advertisements amidst accusations of sexual harassment and groping.
In a since-deleted tweet on July 9th from his personal twitter account, Hill said “Apparently the standard is guilty and who cares if you’re innocent.” The tweet also included a graphic saying “We are living in a time where accusations alone have the power of conviction.” The promoted tweet also linked to a page on Hill’s website titled “learn the truth.”
Hill announced yesterday morning that he’s having an Indianapolis law firm pursue a defamation case against four women. The first-term attorney general is accused by three legislative staffers and a Democratic lawmaker of sexual harassment and groping during a party in March.
Hill denies the allegations and is resisting calls for his resignation from politicians on both sides of the aisle, including fellow Republicans; Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, and House Speaker Brian Bosma, and Senate leader David Long have all called for Hill’s ouster.
On Monday, Democratic lawmakers submitted a letter to Speaker Bosma, asking him to begin impeachment proceedings against Hill.
Curtis Hill for Indiana, Hill’s political campaign, has paid to move his ‘Learn the Truth’ website to the number one result on google when his name is searched.
Hill’s ‘Learn the Truth’ web page states, “Let me be clear: I am not resigning. The calls for my resignation are unwarranted and those calls should be rescinded. The allegations against me, which continue to change, are vicious and false. At no time did I ever grab or touch anyone inappropriately. The lack of fairness and failure to recognize my constitutional rights is a complete travesty.”
Successful defamation suits must prove actual malice and reckless disregard for the truth. This kind of suit has historically been hard to prove when filed by public figures due to the requirement to prove evidence of actual malice.
Attorney General Hill’s office did not return repeated calls asking for comment.
