A Marion County grand jury appears to be investigating unlawful conflicts of interest related to deals struck by Thomas Cook, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former chief of staff.
The grand jury is also investigating allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office on Jan. 6 released its quarterly grand jury report, which shows a grand jury heard testimony on five occasions in November and December. That testimony concerned “unlawful touching and/or unlawful communication by a public servant or person between March 2019 and December 2023” and the “unlawful pecuniary interest in a contract of a public servant and/or former public servant.”
While the report doesn’t go into further detail or name Cook specifically, the timeline matches up with the allegations against Cook.
The report was released following a public records request by IndyStar.
Under Indiana’s conflict of interest statute, “pecuniary interest” is defined as a contract or purchase that will result in an “ascertainable increase” in the income or net worth of a public servant or a dependent of a public servant.
The extent of the grand jury investigation is unclear. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears declined to comment. Most information related to grand juries is confidential.
The development follows multiple investigations by news outlets into ethical concerns surrounding Cook and the Hogsett administration.
In October, a Mirror Indy/IndyStar investigation found at least $80 million in public incentives were awarded or recommended to Cook’s clients after he was forced to resign over a prohibited relationship with a subordinate. That employee, Scarlett Andrews, was promoted shortly after Cook’s resignation to lead the Department of Metropolitan Development — the city agency responsible for the incentives that flowed to Cook’s clients.
Neither Cook nor Andrews have been charged with a crime. Neither immediately responded to phone messages seeking comment for this story.
News outlets have also reported how Hogsett maintained ties with Cook long after the former top aide was accused of sexual misconduct and abuse.
Cook has not responded to Mirror Indy’s repeated requests for comment about these allegations. In 2024, he told IndyStar in a statement that he was involved in “consensual relationships” that violated a trust placed in him.
“At no time did I seek to use my professional position to further those personal relationships,” the statement said. “That being said, I understand these situations have raised legitimate concerns and I apologize to all those involved.”
Those news reports led the City-County Council to launch an investigation into Hogsett’s handling of the allegations. Fisher Phillips, a Georgia-based law firm hired to conduct the investigation, ultimately concluded the mayor’s office acted lawfully and complied with city-county policy in its handling of the allegations, though it described the city’s work atmosphere as “more of a fraternity or sorority … than emblematic of a business setting.”
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Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.
Emily Hopkins is a Mirror Indy reporter focused on data and accountability. You can reach them on phone or Signal at 317-790-5268 or by email at emily.hopkins@mirrorindy.org. Follow them on most social media @indyemapolis or on Bluesky @emilyhopkins.bsky.social.
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