Indiana
Are Indiana’s local officials buying luxury cars? Lawmakers want to stop it
$90K Indiana taxpayer-funded SUVs for Beckwith, Morales raise questions
Lt. Gov Micah Beckwith and Secretary of State Diego Morales are driving around in newly purchased luxury SUVs bought with taxpayer money.
Local government officials across Indiana wouldn’t be able to purchase luxury vehicles with taxpayer money — and some may even have to give existing vehicles back — if a bill moving through the Indiana General Assembly is signed into law.
Democratic Rep. Mitch Gore of Indianapolis, who authored last year’s legislation that took aim at Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Secretary of State Diego Morales’ luxury SUVs, is back this year with a bill to weed out high-end vehicle purchases made by local governments.
Gore said House Bill 1066, approved unanimously by the House government reform committee on Jan. 21, was prompted by a suggestion last year from a fellow lawmaker to expand his original bill.
He said the idea that government officials are riding around in luxury when the “average Hoosier” can’t afford cars like that doesn’t sit right with him.
“Unlike last year, nobody specific this year drew my ire – but I’m positive it is happening in local government,” Gore told IndyStar.
It’s unclear how many of these cars exist across the state. A fiscal analysis prepared by the Legislative Services Agency states that the current number of vehicles “that would require disposal” as a result of the bill is unknown.
At least one such recent purchase that would be “no dice” under Gore’s bill, according to the lawmaker, is the nearly $52,000 purchase in 2024 by Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield’s administration of a 2024 Ford Explorer Timberline, according to a purchase order obtained by IndyStar.
The SUV, which has been criticized by some Lawrence residents amid concerns about her administration’s handling of finances, includes an upgraded sound system and a moonroof.
Gore, who was not previously aware of the purchase, said his impression of the SUV is that “it would not comply with these new standards.”
Under the bill, local government officials who have already purchased such vehicles would be required to sell them by 2028, or following the end of the useful life of the vehicle.
Whitfield’s chief of staff Greg Goodnight said it wouldn’t be a big deal if Whitfield was forced to get rid of the vehicle.
“I don’t think she has a preference on what she drives,” he said. “With everything going on in the world and the country and state of Indiana I’m sure that’s the least of her concerns.”
The legislature nearly unanimously passed Gore’s bill last year after IndyStar reported that both Morales and Beckwith had recently bought nearly $90,000 high-trim SUVs on the taxpayers’ dime.
Morales’ GMC Yukon Denali, which advertises itself as a car designed to “immerse yourself in luxury” came from Kelley Automotive Group, one of his campaign donors.
Currently, the governor’s office and the Indiana State Police are exempt from the base-model rule. Gore wanted to change that this year but a Republican amendment, approved unanimously by the committee, keeps the exemption in place.
The bill still has a long journey to becoming law. It now moves to the full House and will also have to pass through the Senate before heading to the governor’s desk.
Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com or follow her on X @hayleighcolombo.
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Indiana
Indiana EMT charged with sexually assaulting 14-year-old in the back of an ambulance during transport
(WXIN/WTTV) — An EMT working for an Indiana ambulance service has been arrested after accusations that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old while transporting them to the hospital.
Ronald D. Elliott Jr., 37, was officially charged Wednesday with a slew of child sex crimes. Online jail records show Elliott, who lives in Dunreith, was arrested Thursday and booked into Delaware County Jail without bond.
The arrest stems from accusations made by a 14-year-old who told police that Elliott sexually assaulted her in the back of an ambulance during a February transport from Muncie to Monroe County.
The alleged victim came forward on March 16 and told Indiana State Police investigators that an EMT had forced her into sexual contact while taking her to a medical facility in Bloomington.
The juvenile said that Elliott, who is listed as an EMT for Quest Ambulance Service, began showing her pictures and videos on his cell phone during the transport. The files reportedly included photos of Elliott’s genitals and videos of him engaged in sexual activities.
Elliott is then alleged to have groped the teenager under her clothes and exposed himself to her. The girl said this led to Elliott sexually assaulting her in the back of the ambulance while en route to Bloomington.
The 14-year-old said that, after the assault, Elliott provided her with his “Mr. Fogger” nicotine vape as well as his phone. The girl told officers she signed into her Instagram account on Elliott’s phone, and court documents state she failed to log off after leaving the ambulance.
It was through the girl’s Instagram account that Elliott allegedly found a second juvenile victim. Identified as Victim 2 in court documents, Elliott reportedly began messaging the 13-year-old girl on Instagram. Throughout his conversations, the 37-year-old EMT is alleged to have:
- Called the juvenile a “young sl-t”
- Lied about his age, claiming he was 18 years old
- Sent a picture of himself only wearing a towel
- Made “sexually suggestive” comments about “good naughty girls”
- Told the 13-year-old girl she “looks cute”
During an interview with Elliott conducted on March 25, the EMT reportedly admitted to letting the 14-year-old use his phone and nicotine vape. However, he denied any sexual contact with the girl and said that any nude images she may have seen on his phone were an accident.
After uncovering “corroborating evidence” from both Elliott’s cell phone and the victim’s Instagram account, police requested that a warrant be filed for his arrest. Online court records show that the warrant was granted on Thursday.
Indiana State Police said that Elliott was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop. Delaware County Jail records show Elliott was booked around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. He now faces the following several Level 4 felony charges including child seduction, child solicitation, and sexual conduct with a minor.
No other information was included in the probable cause affidavit filed against Elliott.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever continued their 2026 WNBA regular season with a 100-84 loss against the Portland Fire on Saturday, May 30.
Clark, a former Iowa women’s basketball star, and the Fever are 4-4 after the first eight games of the regular season.
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Here’s a look at how Clark fared in Saturday’s game in Portland:
Caitlin Clark stats today in Indiana Fever vs Portland Fire
Former Iowa Hawkeyes star Megan Gustafson scored a game-high 22 points for Portland in the Saturday victory.
Former Iowa State Cyclones star Bridget Carleton scored 14 points for the Fire.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever upcoming games
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Caitlin Clark’s stats in Indiana Fever vs Portland Fire today
MOORESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — A Mooresville police officer was involved in a “serious crash,” Saturday afternoon, officials say.
According to a Facebook post made by the Mooresville Fire Department, officers are advising the public to avoid the area of the 200 block of East Main Street due to a “serious crash” involving a Mooresville Metropolitan Police officer.
East Main Street is currently closed between Maple Lane and Franklin Street.
Police say the roads will remain closed while a crash investigation is being conducted.
Police did not provide details on the officer’s condition.
This is a developing story.
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