Foust Calls for Special Prosecutor for Hogsett Probe, Citing Mears' Mayoral Ambitions

Indianapolis, IN — Candidate for Marion County Prosecutor Philip Foust today called for an independent special prosecutor to oversee the widening Hogsett administration investigation, stating that Ryan Mears’s reported 2027 mayoral ambitions create an unresolvable conflict of

interest:

With serious allegations regarding Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration unanswered, Prosecutor Ryan Mears must immediately clarify whether he will run for mayor in 2027 and request the appointment of a special prosecutor. Marion County residents deserve full confidence that prosecutorial decisions are based on justice, not political calculus.

Recent IndyStar and Mirror Indy reporting detailed serious allegations against the Hogsett administration, including that Hogsett’s top campaign fundraiser (an operative with no formal city role) arranged for “wish lists” of preferred city contracts from Hogsett donors to be hand-delivered to the official responsible for recommending and signing public works contracts.

Given the nature of these allegations, Ryan Mears cannot continue hedging about his mayoral ambitions. By remaining coy about whether he will run in 2027, Mears has trapped his office in a catch-22: any action he takes will be viewed as politically motivated. If he aggressively investigates or files charges, many will see it as an attempt to weaken a potential rival. If he does not investigate after repeatedly claiming his office prioritizes public corruption, many will see it as protecting his party.

Ryan Mears owes the public a clear and unequivocal answer to whether he is running for mayor in 2027. But even that is no longer enough. To restore public confidence, Mears must immediately clarify his political intentions and request the appointment of an independent special

prosecutor.

Appointing a special prosecutor is the only way to assure the public that these serious allegations will be examined on the facts and the law alone, without any shadow of party protection or personal political ambition.

This is about restoring public confidence in the integrity of the prosecutorial process, not prejudging any individual or outcome.

Marion County residents expect their prosecutor to pursue accountability without fear, favor, or political calculation, whether the issues involve street crime or the City-County Building. As a former deputy prosecutor who handled cases from juvenile court to homicide, I know that a

functioning justice system requires both fairness and the avoidance of even the appearance of impropriety. The people of this county deserve a process they can trust.

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