Hogsett Admin’s Bombshell Corruption Report, Lawrence’s Chaos – Where Do We Go from Here?

Written By Admin Indy Republicans

Friday, October 17, 2025

Mayor Hogsett's Corruption Exposed

An investigative report published by the Indy Star and Mirror Indy reveals a culture of corruption surrounding Mayor Joe Hogsett. 

  • The full story is here. Truncated version below:

    • Mayor Hogsett forced the resignation of his former top aide, Thomas Cook, following Cook's relationship with rising star in the Department of Metropolitan Development, Scarlett Andrews. (Reminder, Cook wasn’t permitted to engage in romantic relationships with city government employees due to a 2017 sexual harassment claim.)

    • Following his resignation, Cook landed a cushy job at Hogsett’s former employer, Bose McKinney & Evans. His clients? “Large developers seeking city approvals and incentives for their projects.” Meanwhile, Scarlett Andrews (Cook’s partner) was promoted by Hogsett to lead the DMD, despite strong objections by the city's HR. 

    • Here’s where it gets interesting: “From 2021 to 2023, the department Andrews oversaw awarded or recommended at least $80 million in city incentives to projects with ties to Cook’s clients.” Andrews also supported controversial projects that community leaders strongly opposed––all to line the pockets of Hogsett’s former staffer Thomas Cook.

    • Complaints about the Cook-Andrews relationship were raised—and by all accounts, promptly ignored.

The Hogsett administration not only faces credible allegations of harassment, but now public corruption claims. 

Council Democrats Shield Hogsett from Accountability

This bombshell reporting also exposes the willful ignorance ofCouncil President Vop Osiliand theIndianapolis Democratswho have long shielded Hogsett and his closest associates from accountability.

  • Democrats in the IndyStar today appear “troubled” and are largely pleading the 5th. Except one: Democrat Councilor Frank Mascari. 

  • Mascari says: “She [Andrews] was just doing her job. As far as special favors, I don’t think there were (any). Everything was done by the book, every bit of it, I assume.” Did he read the same article we did?

Mascari has been in power so long, he’s become a cog in the broken system–protecting Hogsett from accountability & allowing admin officials to profit from insider deals.

Lawrence Republicans Call Out Whitfield's Shady Budget; Demand Transparency

Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield’s (D) office is wrought with chaos and dysfunction. Under her leadership, the City of Lawrence has faced a frivolous lawsuit, blatant accounting errors, a general disregard for public input, missed bond payments, and government audits.  

This week, she’s refused to provide clear answers about the 2026 Lawrence Budget despite calls for transparency from the city’s councilors and taxpayers.

Lawrence Republicans have had ENOUGH, blasting Whitfield’s in a press release and calling out how the proposed budget would: 

  • Slash Cash Reserves — Exposing Lawrence to Risk: The proposed budget draws reserves down from about 22% proposed in 2025 to just 13% in 2026—a precipitous drop that leaves the city exposed to revenue shocks, emergencies, or unexpected costs.

  • Allow Spending Growth to Outpace Revenue: While projected revenues for the General Fund increase ~5% year-over-year, the new administration’s spending increase is ~12.5%. If your budget is growing faster than your income, something has to give.

  • Cut Fire, Police, Infrastructure, and Parks

    • Fire capital is slashed by nearly 90%, from ~$1.8 million to $225,000.

    • Training/continuing education funds for law enforcement are cut by ~45%.

    • Street department capital is effectively zeroed out, and capital outlays citywide are down ~75%.

    • Parks capital is reduced to a token $12,000—no serious park improvements on the horizon.

Where Do We Go From Here? 

If you read any part of this newsletter, let it be this: 

  1. Media Pulling Back the Curtain

For years, Indy Republicans have raised concerns about corruption, mismanagement, and the failures of one-party Democrat leadership. Now, the media is validating what we’ve said all along: the current system is broken. 

These investigative reports matter, and they should be shared with friends, family, and neighbors. Sunlight is the best disinfectant and creates a real opportunity for change.

  1. People are Stepping Up to Serve

In recent months, our inboxes have been full of people who want to get involved, many for the first time. They aren’t political insiders, they are parents, former law enforcement officers, and veterans who want better leadership.

These are fresh voices our county needs.

What We're Reading

IndyStar/Mirror Indy: Hogsett ignored Thomas Cook's secret relationship as money flowed to developers

IndyStar: I held back on calling for Joe Hogsett to resign. Not anymore. | Opinion

To begin rebuilding trust, I am calling for Hogsett’s resignation. Indianapolis deserves leaders who put residents first, enforce clear boundaries and speak the truth. We can be the Smartest City in America, a city that is safe, clean and growing, with development that reflects the needs of neighborhoods, not the wishes of insiders. That begins with honesty, and it starts with change.

IndyStar/Mirror Indy: Indy councilors troubled by deals tied to Hogsett aide’s secret relationship

IndyStar: Hogsett let Thomas Cook run Indianapolis. His legacy is imploding. | Opinion

Hogsett has not been accused of sexual misconduct, but he kept Cook in positions of power after he should have known about credible allegations against Cook. He also sent his own text messages to young women, which are hard to classify but objectively inappropriate.

Hogsett has not been accused of corruption, but he allowed negotiations on development deals to involve both Cook and Andrews, which looked like corruption to some employees working underneath the mayor.

Fox 59: Challenging times ahead for City of Lawrence after proposed budget cuts for 2026

At a town hall held on Wednesday, Republican Chair Matt Huckleby said the proposed budget reduces capital improvements in roads and parks. Public safety is also being cut and education funding for law enforcement is being cut by 45%...

Whitfield pushed back on those numbers, saying they were not accurate. She didn’t reveal what is actually on the chopping block or what the budget plan is, but said they are doing everything they can to save money.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, November 6 @ 7:00 PM: Strike out Hunger with Perry Township GOP Club [FLYER BELOW]

Wednesday, December 10: Wayne Township Lincoln Day Dinner with Governor Braun 

Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Washington Township Lincoln Day Dinner 

Friday-Saturday, February 20-21, 2026: Indiana GOP Congress of Counties

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Tonight’s Dinner / Mears Gets Tough on Crime in Spotlight / Dems Silence Council Republicans