Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s campaign has been found to advance the interests of downtown insiders behind closed doors, according to an investigation by IndyStar and Mirror Indy. The investigation found that Hogsett’s top campaign fundraiser arranged for wish lists of donors’ preferred city contracts to be hand-delivered to the city’s public works chief.

Investigation Findings

The investigation reviewed records that confirmed the existence of the project wish lists and found that the Hogsett administration granted three of the wishes, worth up to $1 million. The companies that received those deals and their executives have donated nearly $200,000 to the mayor’s campaign over the last decade.

Developers, engineering firms, architects, downtown law firms, and other Indianapolis powerbrokers have donated nearly $9 million to Hogsett’s campaign since he started raising money in 2014. Many enjoy lucrative city contracts and favorable deals. Some wield considerable sway over city decision-making.

Officials from Hogsett’s campaign suggested donors for mayoral board appointments and strategized with public servants, raising questions about whether decisions are being made in the public interest or for political gain. Staffers also say they were repeatedly pressured by senior administration officials to volunteer for Hogsett’s campaign in ways they now believe were unethical.

Response from the Mayor’s Office

A written statement provided by Hogsett spokesperson Aliya Wishner on behalf of the administration questioned why “routine activities are being framed as uniquely suspect here, or whether the same scrutiny has been applied to other administrations and levels of government.” The statement denied that the mayor is involved in the process of awarding contracts.

Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.