Former Top Aide Accused of Misconduct Resigns

Thomas Cook, a former top aide to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women who worked under him, leading to his recent departure from the law firm Bose McKinney & Evans. Cook's behavior, described as abusing his power to pressure women into unwanted intimate relationships, was investigated multiple times over six years while he served under Hogsett, resulting in reprimands and his eventual resignation in 2020. Despite these allegations, Cook continued to work closely with Hogsett until new accusations emerged in 2023. Mayor Hogsett and city officials have been criticized for not taking more decisive action earlier, with Republican council members expressing disappointment in the administration's handling of the situation. Cook has acknowledged having consensual relationships that violated trust but denied using his professional position to further these relationships. The city claims to take all allegations seriously and has hired external law firms to conduct investigations.