Curtis Hill: Tenure and Controversies as Indiana Attorney General
Curtis Hill made history as the first African American man to serve as the Attorney General of Indiana. Elected as a Republican in 2016, Hill's tenure was marked by a steadfast commitment to socially conservative policies, high-profile legal battles, and a series of personal and professional controversies that eventually led to his exit from office.
The 2016 Campaign and Election
Hill entered the 2016 race to succeed Greg Zoeller, who chose not to seek reelection. Running as a Republican, Hill faced Democratic nominee Lorenzo Arredondo, a former Lake County Circuit Court Judge. The campaign was characterized by a significant spending advantage for Hill.
On November 8, 2016, Hill secured a decisive victory, receiving 1,643,689 votes (61.94%) compared to Arredondo's 994,085 votes (38.06%).
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Key Facts
- Historic Milestone: First African American man to serve as Indiana Attorney General.
- Election Result: Won the 2016 election with 61.94% of the vote.
- Legal Discipline: Law license suspended for 30 days by the Indiana Supreme Court in 2020.
- Public Records: Court-ordered to pay $49,150 in attorney fees for violating public records laws.
- Political Exit: Defeated for renomination by Todd Rokita in 2020.
Policy Positions and Legal Actions
As Attorney General, Hill was viewed as a rising star in the Republican Party, often promoting conservative and socially conservative agendas. His tenure involved several contentious policy stances:
Drug Policy and CBD Oil
Hill strongly opposed the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana. In November 2017, he issued an advisory opinion declaring cannabidiol (CBD) oil—a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis—illegal in Indiana. Even after a 2018 law allowed registered patients to use specific CBD oils, Hill maintained that selling or distributing it remained illegal.
This position was eventually overruled by the Indiana General Assembly, which passed legislation expanding CBD's legality with an overwhelming 97–0 vote in the House and 36–11 in the Senate.
Criminal Justice and Policing
Hill advocated for harsher penalties for drug offenses and supported the use of civil forfeiture (the seizure of assets by law enforcement). He defended "stop-and-frisk" programs in a U.S. Supreme Court filing and opposed the adoption of hate-crime laws, defending a 2019 bias-motivated crimes law that omitted gender identity, gender, and sex as protected classes.
Animal Welfare and Economic Lawsuits
Hill led a 17-state lawsuit against Massachusetts to challenge animal welfare laws regarding the space provided for pigs, cows, and hens. He also joined 12 other states in suing California over laws banning eggs from battery cage hens. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take jurisdiction over these cases.
Administrative and Legal Controversies
Public Records and Expenditures
Hill faced criticism for spending $279,000 on office renovations and $31,000 for a passenger van used as a mobile office. More seriously, he was found to have violated the Indiana Access to Public Records Act by using personal email for public business and redacting those addresses from public requests. In 2021, a judge ordered him to pay a $100 civil penalty and $49,150 in legal fees to the Indianapolis Star.
Voting Rights and COVID-19
Hill objected to a consent decree that added early voting locations in Marion County, a move criticized by the NAACP and fellow Republicans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he asserted that gathering restrictions applied to religious services were unconstitutional religious discrimination.
Sexual Harassment Allegations and Disciplinary Action
In 2018, four women accused Hill of inappropriate sexual behavior, specifically groping them at a bar during the final night of the General Assembly session. These allegations led to calls for his resignation from Governor Eric Holcomb and other top Republican leaders.
A special prosecutor, Daniel Sigler, concluded the allegations were "credible and true" but stated there was insufficient evidence for a misdemeanor battery conviction. However, the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission pursued the matter. In May 2020, the Indiana Supreme Court unanimously found that Hill had committed a misdemeanor battery and suspended his law license for 30 days.
Political Decline and Later Campaigns
The combination of legal suspensions and harassment allegations weakened Hill's standing within his party. In 2020, he sought renomination but was defeated at the Republican state convention by Todd Rokita, who received 52% of the vote in the third round of mail-in voting.
Hill attempted a political comeback in 2022 by seeking the nomination for Indiana's 2nd congressional district following the death of Representative Jackie Walorski, but he was defeated by Rudy Yakym at the party caucus.
| Category | Key Detail/Outcome |
|---|---|
| Election Year | 2016 (Republican) |
| Historic Status | First African American Indiana AG |
| Major Policy Stance | Opposed CBD oil and hate-crime laws |
| Legal Sanction | 30-day law license suspension (2020) |
| Public Records Penalty | $49,150 in attorney fees + $100 fine |
| Successor | Todd Rokita |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Curtis Hill's law license suspended?
The Indiana Supreme Court suspended his license for 30 days after finding that he had committed a misdemeanor battery in 2018, which violated the professional rules of conduct for attorneys.
What was the controversy regarding CBD oil in Indiana?
Hill issued an opinion stating CBD oil was illegal. However, the Indiana General Assembly later overruled him by passing legislation that reaffirmed and expanded the legality of CBD in the state.
How did the public records lawsuit end?
A state judge ruled that Hill violated public records law by using personal emails for government business and redacting them. Hill was ordered to pay a $100 civil penalty and $49,150 in attorney fees to the Indianapolis Star.
Who replaced Curtis Hill as Indiana Attorney General?
Curtis Hill was defeated for renomination by Todd Rokita at the 2020 Republican state convention. Rokita subsequently won the general election.
Did Curtis Hill resign following the harassment allegations?
No, Hill refused to resign despite calls from Governor Eric Holcomb and other high-ranking Republican officials.