by

Jeff Jellison

Publisher

Hamilton County Reporter

Allegations of misconduct, a criminal investigation and a civil suit have employees in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s office on edge.

The civil suit filed by Susan Byer alleges she was unjustly fired after she made allegations of late property tax penalties not being charged to family members of office employees.

The criminal investigation being conducted by the Indiana State Police – now in its eighth month – was initiated by county commissioners after they learned of Byer’s allegations.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham is not commenting on the criminal investigation.

Buckingham requested, and was granted, a Special Prosecutor to oversee the State Police investigation.  Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton now heads the investigation.

The commissioners have said they do not believe there is a factual basis behind Byer’s allegations.

Commissioners have described Byer as a disgruntled employee.

A second Treasurer’s Office employee, Julie Ward, was fired following Byer’s termination.

Reports indicate Ward was fired for allegedly posting tax payments to the wrong account multiple times.

Pamela Watson, a current employee of the Treasurer’s Office, has been suspended for violation of office policies, according to county officials.  Watson, represented by local attorney Tim Stoez, has filed a tort claim notice as a result of her suspension.

According to an article published by the Indianapolis Star, two current Treasurer’s Office employees who asked to remain anonymous view Watson’s suspension as the latest example of retaliation within the office.

Earlier this year, Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger told the Reporter the Treasurer’s Office is in “upheaval.”

“We may need to make some changes, but until the investigation is concluded we can’t,” said Dillinger.

When asked about the timeline of the investigation, Prosecutor Eaton responded, “I’m hoping things wrap up soon, but I want to be fair, complete and accurate: however long that takes.”

Prosecutor Eaton told the Reporter it is his policy not to comment on an ongoing investigation. “I will say the Indiana State Police are very professional and are committed to doing a good job.  They have worked hard on this case.”

Dillinger, along with Commissioners Mark Heirbrandt and Christine Altman, Prosecutor Buckingham, Hamilton County Attorney Mike Howard and Human Resource Director Sheena Randall are on Byer’s list of witnesses that could be called to testify in the Byer suit.

Byer’s lawsuit is scheduled for trial in April of next year.