A state representative has filed a formal complaint with the inspector general over Mitch Daniels and his new role at Purdue.
State Representative Charlie Brown (D-Gary) wrote to the inspector general, asking for a formal investigation of Governor Mitch Daniels. You can see the letter HERE.
Brown alleges recent actions by Daniels are inappropriate. Those include sending out a news release from the governor’s office commenting on renovations of his future office at Hovde Hall. Brown writes that was a misuse of staff and state resources, and also indicates issues of ghost employment.
He’s also asking for a formal opinion from the inspector general about whether Daniels will be able to lobby the General Assembly on behalf of Purdue. An executive order signed by Daniels prohibits executive level officials from lobbying state government for one year after they leave. An informal opinion from the inspector general on that issue found Daniels could lobby as a university employee.
A statement from the governor’s office dismissed the charges by Brown. The full statement is below:
"This is partisan nonsense. Governor Daniels set the record straight after what could have been misleading headlines about him. But, as governor, he could very legitimately and properly comment about university expenditures at Purdue or elsewhere. The lobbying question has already been addressed by an August Inspector General opinion. Now resources will have to be wasted disposing of this silly charge."