Panel: Discipline case against Indiana AG should proceed

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A disciplinary panel says Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill isn't immune from the state Supreme Court's attorney discipline process just because he's an elected statewide official.

The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed a complaint last month saying Indiana's high court should discipline Hill over allegations he drunkenly groped a lawmaker and three legislative staffers at a bar.

Hill opposes the complaint reaching the investigative stage, arguing in part that Indiana voters will hold him accountable.

The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports the commission's attorneys say the case should proceed, arguing that Hill is seeking "special and favorable treatment" because of his elected post no other Indiana lawyer could ever obtain.

A special prosecutor declined in October to pursue criminal charges against Hill, who's denied wrongdoing and refused calls to resign .

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Information from: The Times, http://www.nwitimes.com