Indiana AG testifies he didn’t grope women

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s attorney general testified Thursday that he did nothing wrong at a party where a state lawmaker and three legislative staffers say he drunkenly groped them, allegations that could threaten his law license and ability to remain in office.

Republican Curtis Hill was less defiant during his hearing on professional misconduct charges than when he labeled the charges “vicious and false” after they became public last year. However, he said he quickly felt he was under an unfair attack from the initial review of the allegations directed by legislative leaders without his knowledge.

Hill testified he briefly touched Democratic Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon’s back while leaning in to hear what she was saying during the March 2018 party and was startled to realize she was wearing a backless dress. Hill said “absolutely not” when asked whether he grabbed Reardon’s buttocks, an allegation she made from the witness stand on Monday.

The attorney general testified for nearly five hours, wrapping up the four-day hearing. It could be months before the former state Supreme Court justice overseeing the case submits a report to the Indiana Supreme Court and it decides on any punishment.

Hill, 58, also refuted testimony from the three female staffers — ages 23 to 26 at the time — that he inappropriately touched their backs or buttocks and made unwelcomed sexual comments during the party at an Indianapolis bar marking the end of the legislative session.

Reardon testified that Hill, smelling of alcohol and with glassy eyes, was holding a drink in his right hand and put his left hand on her shoulder, then slid his hand down her open-back dress to clench her buttocks. “A squeeze, a firm grasp,” she said.