Hogsett says he handled Cook sexual harassment claims as required

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett says he took appropriate action each time he learned about claims of inappropriate conduct by his former chief of staff Thomas Cook.

Hogsett held a press conference Tuesday to address the claims, which have been reported widely in local media outlets. Three women have accused Cook of sexual harassment and grooming that they say the Hogsett administration allowed to continue for years.

“I did what I was required to do at the time that people complained about how Thomas Cook was behaving,” Hogsett said. “And given what I knew at whatever time that has been, I believe that the sanctions that we imposed were appropriate.”

Hogsett said he has no plans to resign, and that he’s taken steps to strengthen the city’s harassment policies. Those moves include mandatory sexual harassment training for all employees and the creation of an internal system to allow employees to report harassment of any kind anonymously.

Cook resigned in 2020 following two investigations — one in 2017 and another in 2020 — into claims of inappropriate conduct, according to a timeline provided by Hogsett’s staff.

In 2023, Cook volunteered with Hogsett’s reelection campaign and again was accused of inappropriate conduct. At the press conference, Hogsett was asked repeatedly why he allowed him to join his campaign knowing Cook’s history.

“He offered to volunteer, and I allowed him to,” Hogsett said. “Any time problems came to my attention, they were investigated, sanctions were levied, and with each and every instance, the sanctions got more profound.”

More people have come forward in recent weeks with reports of inappropriate conduct, resulting in the termination of one employee last week.

When asked about claims against other members of his administration, Hogsett said “you’d have to ask human resources.” When asked if he bore any responsibility for the alleged harassment that occurred, Hogsett said part of the mayor’s job is to create a safe and comfortable working environment for employees.

“So in that regard, that is a responsibility of mine, and that is why we are here today. We are engaged in looking with the [City-County Council] at each aspect of our workplace misconduct policies and updating them,” the mayor said.

Hogsett said he isn’t personally aware of all the complaints made against employees, but acknowledged mistakes have been made.

“But I feel comfortable with the professionals down in human resources, the investigators and the staff down there do a very, very competent, thorough job of responding to the complaints as they come in,” Hogsett said.

Hogsett also signed a proposal that gives a committee the power to hire an independent firm to investigate sexual harassment allegations in his administration.

Contact WFYI education reporter Lee V. Gaines at lgaines@wfyi.org.