New group puts corruption in crosshairs

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The U.S. Attorney’s office is making corruption in public offices one of its top priorities, and it has set up a hotline for whistleblowers.

The new Public Corruption Working Group is charged with identifying and investigating criminal violations of the public’s trust, U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett’s office said in a news release. Agencies involved are the FBI, Secret Service, Indiana State Police, IRS, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Department of Transportation. The group will meet regularly to share information regarding public corruption investigations.

"This coordinated effort is historic, in terms of both the number of law enforcement agencies involved and as to the singular focus on such an important issue - the integrity of our public offices and officeholders," Hogsett said.

Whistleblowers, Hogsett acknowledged, often play a critical role in such investigations and prosecutions. With that in mind, a dedicated hotline has been set up for tips from the public relating to public corruption. Anyone with such information should call 317-229-2443.