Latest news with #Carlino
Indianapolis Star
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Council Democrat gets kicked out of caucus after criticizing leaders. She's now apologizing
The Indianapolis City-County Council's Democratic caucus ousted one of its own members June 24 in the wake of fallout from an investigation into Mayor Joe Hogsett's administration's handling of sexual harassment claims. Crista Carlino, who recently called for Hogsett, Council President Vop Osili and Ali Brown to resign and implied Osili limited the scope of the investigation, was removed after a vote of a majority of her colleagues, according to two council members who told IndyStar about the meeting. Less than 24 hours after the ouster, Carlino apologized for "any undue stress and disappointment my actions caused" the Democratic caucus. The move represents a major fracture in the party. However, it's possible she's reinstated due to her apology. Carlino also stated that she had "no claim or proof" that council leadership "personally and directly impacted the investigation" into Hogsett's former chief of staff Thomas Cook. Last week, Carlino implied council leaders gave "marching orders" to the outside law firm, Fisher Phillips, that conducted the investigation into the Hogsett administration. Both Osili and Brown have vehemently denied those charges. More: Woman accusing Hogsett aide of sexual harassment dragged out of Indianapolis council meeting "I apologize for the extreme accountability I called for in such a public way, without you there to discuss or defend your leadership and actions," Carlino said in the statement, where she also said she was stepping away from her committee chair roles, including leading the investigative committee that launched the probe. "We are at an impasse. Deflection and false accusations have become the rhetoric," Carlino's statement continued. "This is not who we are. My colleagues on the council have lost faith in my leadership and are placing blame on me, and I accept that." Democratic council member Ron Gibson, an ally of the mayor who recently defended Hogsett's late-night and personal texts to young women about topics including poetry, told IndyStar that Carlino was given an "opportunity to issue a public apology because of her untruthful statements about the investigation" before removing her from the caucus. "If she is willing to be fully transparent in a public statement, then we will vote to reinstate her," Gibson said. He reiterated that she could be added back to the caucus later Wednesday after Carlino released her apology statement. "More than likely, we vote to reinstate her," Gibson told IndyStar. Carlino also said in the statement that when she called for the resignations "I did so because I felt it was the right thing to do in my heart at the time." Carlino became the second member of the Democratic caucus to be removed recently; they previously voted to oust Democratic socialist Jesse Brown last year after a dispute over support of charter schools. Brown was the first member of the council to call for Hogsett's resignation. The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis and Baptist Ministers Alliance released a statement condemning Carlino's ouster and accusing Democrats of a "political power play." "This is not the leadership our city needs," the groups said. "We will not sit quietly while those who speak up for justice are pushed out by those who bankroll the status quo."
Indianapolis Star
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Democratic Indy council member calls for council leadership change, Hogsett's resignation
The Indianapolis City-County Council member who leads the committee investigating allegations of sexual harassment within Mayor Joe Hogsett's administration became the fourth councilor to call for the mayor to resign over the scandal on Tuesday night. She also demanded that the council's top two Democrats step down from their leadership roles over their involvement with the investigation. Democratic Councilor Crista Carlino, the chair of the investigative committee that councilors created in September 2024 to investigate the allegations, implied that Council President Vop Osili and Council Vice President Ali Brown mishandled the "marching orders" given to an outside law firm hired to examine the misconduct. She also criticized their leadership displayed during a June 9 council meeting, where Osili ordered sheriff's deputies to forcibly remove alleged victim Lauren Roberts for exceeding the time limit for public comment. Carlino said the firm's 54-page report focused too narrowly on Thomas Cook, the top Hogsett aide who was accused of harassing and pushing for unwanted sexual encounters with several women subordinates, while overlooking alleged misconduct by others including the mayor. IndyStar revealed that the report excluded late night and personal texts Hogsett sent to two of Cook's alleged victims that made them uncomfortable. "Joe Hogsett must resign," Carlino said during a June 17 meeting focused on whether to pay the additional $300,000 that councilors owe to law firm Fisher Phillips. "The leadership of this council needs to step down as well so that we can move forward with fidelity in implementing change and establishing a culture of trust and respect for all city workers and our constituents in the city of Indianapolis." Osili did not attend Tuesday night's committee meeting but sent IndyStar a statement rejecting claims that he somehow limited the scope of the law firm's investigation. "In no way did I have any personal influence on the scope of the contract with the law firm that investigated misconduct in the Hogsett administration," Osili said in a written statement. "To suggest that I did is not only false, it is an attack against my integrity and the values that I hold in every aspect of my life." Brown, the council vice president, also denied that she was involved in narrowing the scope of the investigation. She said that she had no involvement with the investigative committee by choice. She told IndyStar that she has been mostly silent about the investigation throughout the last year as she navigates severe trauma stemming from a sexual assault she experienced while a college student at Ball State University in January 2004. She disclosed that assault to her council colleagues, including Carlino, last year. 'I told them I really want to see this done right and I am having terrible flashbacks,' Brown said. 'I know I couldn't do a good job if I'm hurting this bad. I want to make sure the judgment is not clouded. Trauma isn't a sign of weakness, but it's also about knowing what your limitations are. (Carlino's accusation) feels like a betrayal. It just hurts." Four councilors have now called for Hogsett to resign: Democrats Carlino, Andy Nielsen and Jesse Brown, as well as Republican Joshua Bain. A fifth council member, Jessica McCormick, hinted Tuesday night that she may soon add to calls for the mayor to step down. "I think accountability comes at the top," McCormick said, "and we need to make sure that those that are allowing the behavior to continue and to have gone on need to be held accountable." While Hogsett has acknowledged that his texts to younger women may have made them uncomfortable, he told IndyStar in a June 10 interview that they were part of the "casual conversation style" he has developed with political aides and advisers. He said he has "no intent to resign" before the end of his third term. The council's Administration and Finance Committee ultimately voted 7-5 to recommend approval of the $300,000 payment, which the full council will vote on in a future meeting. Even Carlino voted in favor of the payment, saying that Fisher Phillips fulfilled its duties and accountability should rest with city leaders. Democrats Rena Allen, Maggie Lewis, Nick Roberts, Frank Mascari, Andy Nielsen and Dan Boots also voted in favor of the payment. Despite the approval, councilors said they have questions for Fisher Phillips that they want answered, potentially in a follow-up hearing. The five councilors who voted not to approve the payment to Fisher Phillips — Democrat John Barth and Republicans Michael Dilk, Paul Annee, Derek Cahill and Brian Mowery — said the council should demand those answers before sending over the final $300,000 in a roughly $450,000 investigation. Carlino said her inquiries to Fisher Phillips about a possible follow-up hearing have so far been rebuffed. "I've been ... threatened with the fact that there could be a potential defamation case since some of my colleagues came out speaking against the investigation," Carlino said. "I've been told that they probably will not appear in person, but I remain committed to gathering all the questions not only from my colleagues but from members of the public and those survivors to get our questions answered in writing." Carlino's announcement comes eight days after sheriff's deputies pushed Roberts out of the council chambers while she was trying to criticize the council's investigation of alleged sexual harassment against her and two other women. The council invited her and other victims to speak in person Tuesday night, but none showed — two live out of state, and Roberts said she no longer feels safe at the City-County Building. Instead, the councilors and dozens of Roberts' supporters who want Hogsett to resign listened to a legal advocate from the National Women's Defense League read Roberts' and Caroline Ellert's statements aloud. Councilors also relived the chaos of the June 9 meeting, as a nearly 18-minute audio recording Roberts captured that night was played aloud. At a point in the audio where Roberts breaks down sobbing in an elevator, Carlino shut her eyes while other councilors listened with bowed heads. Roberts, who says she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder after her experience working with Cook and the Hogsett campaign from November 2014 to June 2015, said the days since the June 9 meeting have been "some of the darkest days of my recovery." Two days after removing Roberts from the June 9 meeting, Osili said he regretted his decision and should have acted to deescalate the situation. "I am no longer willing to put my safety at risk," Roberts wrote in her statement to councilors June 17, "to help you do your jobs."
Chicago Tribune
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
‘We're here for Libertyville' Libertyville Days Parade 2025
Approximately 85 entries traveled south on Milwaukee Avenue during this year's Libertyville Days Parade on Saturday, June 14. The theme this year was 'Aloha Summer '25.' Hawaiian lei necklaces were abundant, along with grass skirts on parade floats. A grass skirt adorned the front of a Tesla Cybertruck, making the silver electric car look like it was wearing a mustache. The weather was in the lower 60-degree range with overcast skies and no rain when the parade started promptly at 10 a.m. 'The Libertyville Days Festival and parade is the first of the summer in Lake County, thus 'kicking off summer' in Libertyville and the surrounding communities,' said Anne Carlino, executive director of the Libertyville Civic Center Foundation. 'Children get excited about collecting candy and other items that are distributed along the parade route by community organizations and businesses.' Family entertainment, along with an arts and crafts fair, took place in Cook Park (which borders the parade route). Carnival rides, with an unlimited ride special, started immediately after the parade, Carlino indicated. 'This is the first summer family gathering in downtown Libertyville after the schools get out, so many people are still in town celebrating graduations, weddings, and other types of special events,' Carlino added. 'Former residents often attend the festival to spend time with family and friends.' The color guard duty of the Libertyville VFW Post 8741 fronted the parade. The post's color guard commander, Tony Kennedy of Libertyville, spent one year (1968 and 1969) in Vietnam serving in the United States Army. 'They're my brothers,' Kennedy said about fellow soldiers. 'It was an honor to serve.' Libertyville Mayor Donna Johnson waved to spectators from a passenger seat window. 'It's an absolute honor,' Johnson said about the privilege of being in the parade. 'This is a wonderful community to serve, we have a beautiful day and a beautiful community,' the mayor added with a smile. Libertyville royalty 2025 also appeared in the parade with Audrey Byers, Campbell Ziemann, and Miss Libertyville 2025 Ashley Rojas. Shortly before the parade, Rojas said, 'We're here for Libertyville. 'We want everyone to feel welcomed,' Rojas added. 'We're celebrating them.' This year's parade grand marshal was Brian Grano of Libertyville, owner of Mickey Finn's Brewery of Libertyville and a member of the Libertyville Days Committee. Grano is also an active member of MainStreet Libertyville. 'It's an honor being the grand marshal,' Grano said while riding in an open-air convertible with his wife, Jetta Grano. 'I'm thrilled,' the grand marshal said. To the community, 'Thanks for all the support,' Brian Grano added. 'I love it here.'
Mint
08-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
ION Founder to Pay €280 Million to Settle Tax Probe: Carlino
(Bloomberg) -- ION Group founder Andrea Pignataro has reached an agreement with Italian tax authorities to pay €280 million ($319 million) to end a probe into alleged tax evasion, Il Resto del Carlino reported on Sunday. Prosecutors in Bologna, where the fintech billionaire was born, had originally sought up to €1.2 billion in arrears, interest and other costs relating to a period up to 2023, according to the newspaper. He'll make the payments in instalments over five years, Carlino said. While a criminal case against him remains open, the settlement could work in his favor in that process, the newspaper said. Although Pignataro claims to reside in Switzerland and most of ION's business is in the UK, officials said he was liable to pay taxes in Italy because his family has lived there throughout the period, Carlino said. Investigators pored through travel and phone records and examined his personal relationships to conclude that he spent most of his time in his home country, according to the report. A representative for Pignataro declined to comment. The Italian tax authority couldn't immediately be reached outside business hours. Pignataro has quietly become one of the most important men in Italian finance, building a network of companies that control data, trade securities and help the European Central Bank manage the euro. In Italy, through ION, Pignataro controls financial services firms Cedacri SpA, Cerved Group SpA and Prelios SpA. That means the group handles large amounts of data on Italian borrowers and companies, while providing software for most lenders. He's also bought stakes in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, Illimity Bank SpA and Cassa di Risparmio di Volterra. After studying at Bologna University, Pignataro worked as a bond trader in London, where he later received a doctorate in math from London's Imperial College. While working for Salomon Brothers, he helped lead a joint venture with Pisa-based software firm List Holdings, filings show. That business would eventually become ION Trading UK, the start of what is now ION Group. Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News, competes with ION in providing financial software and data. --With assistance from Luca Casiraghi. (Updates with response from Pignataro representative in fourth paragraph.) More stories like this are available on
