9 hours ago
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Diego Morales: 'I will not apologize' for overseas trips, no-bid contracts for campaign donors
A defiant Secretary of State Diego Morales is defending himself to lawmakers against criticism after Morales' no-bid contracts to campaign donors, spot bonuses to a relative, overseas trips, absence at a crucial legislative budget hearing, alleged election law violation, and $90,000 taxpayer-paid luxury SUV.
Morales, who appeared before the State Budget Committee on June 18 to request budget augmentations totaling more than $10 million from various state funds, faced a grilling — and criticism — from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
"I will not apologize to anyone because my work ethic is unmatched," Morales told lawmakers. "I'm going above and beyond the call of duty."
Morales said he's been "criss-crossing the state" in record time by visiting all 92 counties, as well as arriving at the Statehouse daily around 5 a.m.
He also asserted he's never used taxpayer money to fund any of his overseas travel, and that he purchased a new luxury SUV because he had put too many miles on his previous vehicle.
He defended missing a legislative budget hearing earlier this year to go on an overseas trip by saying he was "not the first secretary of state who has missed one of these."
Those explanations didn't appear to satisfy lawmakers on both the left and right. In fact, some of the most pointed questions and comments came from Republican state Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown.
"I just want to be on the record as saying you have a vehicle that cost almost twice as much as the average salary of a Hoosier," Garten said.
Garten then pressed Morales about whether any of the expenses slated to be funded by the budget augmentations were to financial contributors to Morales' campaign. The biggest augmentation request was for $8.1 million to fund IT upgrades and personnel, subject to sufficient revenue from the Electronic and Enhanced Access fund.
"A lot of people contribute to my campaign," Morales responded to Garten.
"It's a yes or no," Garten said. "I think Indiana Hoosiers deserve to know that. ... I would like them to be identified."
Morales acknowledged that some firms with contracts were campaign donors, including contractor MTX, which donated at least $80,000 to Morales and has been paid more than $2.5 million in the 2025 fiscal year, according to secretary of state records.
But he defended the deals to companies as experts who are "getting the job done."
Meanwhile, state Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, criticized Morales for failing to meet his basic duties or being transparent with taxpayers.
"I'm disappointed in your leadership," Qaddoura said. "I'm disappointed in the way you're leading your office. Please do better for the state of Indiana."
