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No charges for Tony Bennett in ethics case

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Marion County prosecutor has declined to file charges against Indiana’s former superintendent of public instruction.

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry announced Friday that Tony Bennett will not be charged in relation to allegations of ethical violations.

Bennett had been accused of improper use of state resources, changing a letter grade for a charter school, and ghost employment.

Prosecutor Curry released this statement:

“Our office was provided with the Indiana Office of the Inspector General’s investigation of former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett related to allegations of improper use of state resources, a quid pro quo for a change of letter grade for an Indiana school, and ghost employment. A thorough review of the materials, including hundreds of documents and thousands of emails, was conducted. In addition, some individuals previously interviewed by the Inspector General’s Office were re-interviewed by investigators from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office Grand Jury Division. No evidence was presented to justify criminal charges, and prosecution on each of these issues is declined. I would note that submission of the same Inspector General materials to the U.S. Attorney’s Office likewise did not result in any Federal criminal charges.

“This matter has been the subject of significant rumor and innuendo. However, the conduct in question has been appropriately addressed as ethical violations, resulting in sanctions against Mr. Bennett by the State Ethics Commission.”