By John Estridge
It took 1:54 for Brookville Town Council to hire the Indianapolis law firm Bose McKinney & Evans to represent the town, if needed, due to the ongoing Indiana State Police investigation into BTC President Curtis Ward and BTC Member Chuck Campbell.
The state police opened an investigation concerning Conflict of Interest, a possible felony or felonies, after Ward purchased nine lots adjacent to Brook Hill Golf Club on July 7 and then he demanded the town hurry up and purchase the golf course at the August 10 BTC meeting. Since that time, Ward negotiated the purchase agreement, read into record, voted for and signed many documents concerning the golf course purchase. Campbell voted for and signed documents related to the purchase, and he owns one lot adjacent to the golf course.
And the taxpayers were forced to purchase the golf course, which includes a 22-year $2.2 million bond.
BTC Attorney Tammy Davis was about the only person to speak during the Tuesday afternoon special meeting. She said she picked the Indy firm because that firm has represented the town in other issues. That includes the bond issue for the purchase of the golf course, with the purchase being one of the reasons behind the ISP investigation. It is also assisting the town with the annexation process. That also figures into the ISP investigation as Ward wrote a $4 million READI Grant application for infrastructure to help proposed housing developments in the proposed annexation area, including a 96 condo development on the nine lots, about 12 acres, Ward purchased on July 7. The only way for Ward to be able to put 96 condos on less than 12 acres is to have sanitary sewers and upgraded water lines. Those would come with annexation.
Davis specifically wants to hire Timothy DeLaney, a partner in the law firm.
The cost for DeLaney’s services is $420 per hour, and Davis said there will be additional costs for associate attorneys and paralegals.
Davis said the law firm may not be needed, but she wanted the town to have access to it, if the firm is needed.
“I would like to have the board’s approval to engage them with anything that may stem from this ongoing investigation,” Davis said. “Not that I think it will come to that. But if it does, I would like to have Bose McKinney engaged in that, if it is something I am not able to assist with.”
There were no smiles at the council table. Campbell was not present. The vote was 3-0 as Ward did not vote. Brooke Leffingwell, Eric Johnson and Cathy Pelsor voted for the motion.
It was not explained how the firm will be used and if the town taxpayers will have to pay for the Indianapolis law firm to defend Ward and Campbell personally. If that is the purpose, then the taxpayers will pick up the attorneys’ bill to defend the two men if the men are charged as a result of the investigation.
After the meeting, Brookville resident Bridget Hayes asked Davis and council members if DeLaney was also working on the infamous feasibility study. There is a feasibility study concerning the annexation and it was thought it also concerned the golf course purchase. However, nothing apparently has been done about the study even though Ward said, at almost every BTC meeting in the past year, the feasibility study is ongoing. Another attorney for the Bose McKinney & Evans firm, Brenda K. DeVries, said in a recent public hearing on the $2.2 million bond issue, it is not public record concerning the law firm’s contract with the town.
The only answer Hayes received came from Ward.
“I’m not answering questions,” Ward said before leaving the meeting.