INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed a new round of charges Friday against Attorney General Todd Rokita, this time regarding his defiant response to a prior reprimand.
In an affidavit, Rokita accepted responsibility for misconduct in exchange for a public reprimand last year. In its new complaint, the court found he immediately released a statement contradicting his admission.
“This retraction of acceptance of responsibility demonstrates that the respondent was not candid with the court when he attested that he admitted he had violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules,” Adrienne Meiring, executive director of the disciplinary commission, wrote in the complaint.
Rokita now faces new charges for making false statements to the Supreme Court in the conditional agreement and affidavit; engaging in dishonest behavior and misrepresenting to the Supreme Court that he accepted responsibility for his misconduct; and violating a third rule for issuing a press release that contradicted his agreement.
“These never-ending investigations have created unnecessary distractions and expenses, and despite my offer to take responsibility well over a year ago, this matter continues to be revisited well beyond what is fair and appropriate,” Rokita stated.
The underlying case stemmed from Rokita’s televised comments about Indianapolis doctor Caitlin Bernard, who oversaw a medication abortion for a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio in 2022.
Rokita was ultimately reprimanded late last year. Bernard, an OB-GYN, was also disciplined before the Medical Licensing Board for discussing the procedure publicly.
Two hours after the high court issued the reprimand, Rokita issued a public press release maintaining that his statements about Bernard had been “truthful.” He said he agreed to the reprimand to conclude the case and save taxpayers money.
Grievances filed soon after by an Indiana doctor and attorney questioning whether Rokita was sincere and contrite when he entered into the conditional agreement — resulted in the disciplinary commission opening a second investigation.
Read the complete Casey Smith Story for the Indiana Capital Chronicle, here.
