OPHS Audit Sparks Widespread Scrutiny / Join IndyGOP for May 19 Event
Friday, May 1, 2026
RECAP: OPHS Audit Coverage
Last week, we demanded accountability at OPHS after an internal audit exposed the agency’s mismanagement of taxpayer dollars, corruption, and failure to meet contract requirements. The audit found the agency's budget had ballooned by over 75% since its creation, awarded contracts to OPHS staff, and had missing/insufficient invoices.
This points to Mayor Hogsett’s broader failure of leadership… Hogsett revealed this week he is considering another mayoral run. If OPHS is failing, what’s happening in other agencies, let alone our city?
The coverage was bruising. Here’s a recap:
Mirror Indy: Audit reveals ‘shocking’ findings at Office of Public Health and Safety
“It’s a big black eye of a report,” said Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican councilor who has spoken critically of OPHS in the past. “It’s just completely shocking, especially after however many leaders we’ve been through at OPHS for the past five years.”
Indy Star: Audit finds 'immediate need' to fix Indy's health and safety office
The office, created by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett in 2016 to address the root causes of violent crime, has seen its budget grow 75% from about $19.3 million in 2020 to nearly $33.8 million in 2025.
FOX59: City authors scathing audit of its own crime fighting agency
“It tells me everything I’ve been saying for years,” said Republican City County Councilor Michael Paul Hart. “I’ve been going back to OPHS and calling for transparency since the days when we received $420 million from the federal government and essentially the City-County Council wrote the whole city a blank check.”
Hart wants to see accountability for all the federal funds spending, not just the OPHS budget.
”If we’re gonna give this money, we need to see these dollars, what are you spending these on, did they work for the programs that the city intended and, if not, let’s not do it again. But we never saw that.”
Start Your Engines for Our May 19 Event
Please join us Tuesday, May 19 at the Dallara Car Factory for IndyGOP’s annual May event. We’ll have food, drinks, and an insightful conversation with the President and CEO of Penske Entertainment, Mark Miles. A great opportunity to connect, network, and build excitement for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500. Details below, secure your spot with grace@danielsspaulding.com.
NEXT WEEK: Indiana Primary Election Tuesday, May 5, 2026!
Get out and VOTE! Check your precinct, polling location, and more at https://indianavoters.in.gov/
Tuesday, May 5 – Indiana Primary Election Day
Check your voting location https://indianavoters.in.gov/
Wednesday, May 13 @ 6:00 PM – Broad Ripple GOP Club Meeting with Speaker Todd Huston
The Quarter, 925 E Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Paid parking is available along Westfield Avenue
Interested: RSVP HERE
Sunday, May 17 @ 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM – GIRWC Goes to the Track!
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Get your tickets: HERE
Doors open at 10:00 AM
Event Kickoff at 11:00 AM
Pit is open until 6:00 PM
Tuesday, May 19 – MCRCC May Event
Dallara Experience Hub, 1201 N Main St, Speedway, IN 46224
Interested: RSVP to grace@danielsspaulding.com
June 19-20, 2026 – Indiana GOP State Convention
Grand Wayne Convention Center, Fort Wayne - Click here for more info!