Deal Set In Ex-Schools Chief Bennett's Ethics Case

Associated Press

Deal Set In Ex-Schools Chief Bennett's Ethics Case

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's State Ethics Commission is considering a settlement in the ethics case against former state schools Superintendent Tony Bennett.

Inspector General David Thomas filed charges against Bennett last November alleging he used state employees and resources in his failed 2012 re-election campaign. An Associated Press investigation found that Bennett had asked staff members to dissect a campaign speech by then-opponent Glenda Ritz and kept campaign fundraising lists on state computers.

State law bars public officials from using public resources and employees for their political campaigns. Former schools Superintendent Harold Negley resigned in 1985 amid charges he used staff for campaign work.

The ethics commission is scheduled to review the proposed settlement during a Thursday meeting. Bennett lawyer Jason Barclay said Monday he couldn't discuss details of the settlement yet.

Photo: May 5, 2011 file photo, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett speaks at the statehouse in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, file)

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