Was an alleged sexual predator a heartbeat or two away from running the city of Indianapolis? It sure looks like it.

Former Mayoral Chief of Staff Thomas Cook is accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with at least three women who were subordinates. You can read the story at the Indianapolis Star and Mirror Indy.

His title on his LinkedIn profile was Chief Deputy Mayor/Chief of Staff.

Although allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct were reported to  Mayor Joe Hogsett back in 2017, not only did Cook stay in his position, but he was in line to take over the city of Indianapolis if Mayor Joe Hogsett became incapacitated.

Under state law, municipalities must have succession plans should a mayor become incapacitated and unable to serve.

According to records obtained by Indy Politics,  Cook’s position  was one of the top three designated to take over the city should Hogsett become incapacitated.

According to an Executive order , which you can read below, signed by former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on January 9, 2008, if the Mayor became temporarily incapacitated the line of succession was as follows…

  1. Chief of Staff of the Office of the Mayor of the City of Indianapolis
  2. Deputy Mayor for Public and Neighborhood Affairs of the City of Indianapolis
  3. Director of Public Safety of the City of Indianapolis
  4. Corporation Counsel of the City of Indianapolis
  5. Controller of the City of Indianapolis
  6. Chief of Police of the City of Indianapolis and,
  7. Fire Chief of the City of Indianapolis.

If the Mayor became incapacitated and there was no succession plan the President of the City-County Council would  assume control, followed by the Deputy Mayor for Neighborhoods, the Director of Public Safety and then the Chief of Staff.

That executive order had not been changed or amended since it was signed in 2008.

Cook left the city in 2020 to become a lobbyist for Bose Public Affairs.

He was fired once allegations surfaced due to stories in the Indianapolis Star and Mirror Indy.

The Mayor has signed an executive order mandating sexual harassment training for all city employees, and the Indianapolis City-County Council is also addressing the issue.

This story will be updated.