Three Bartholomew residents targeted in anti-corruption crackdown

Several former public officials in Bartholomew County were among those targeted in a public corruption prosecution campaign unveiled this morning in Indianapolis.

Officials from the State Board of Accounts, the FBI, Indiana State Police, county sheriffs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and state and local prosecutors touted their cooperation in bringing charges against 15 people accused of taking money from public coffers. The goal is recoup the lost money by civilly charging the 15 former officials.

The announcement said that two Bartholomew County residents are facing federal prosecution for the ethics violations. That included:

51 year old Clint Madden, who served as the Wayne Township trustee and treasurer of the Jonesville Volunteer Fire Department. He is accused of misappropriating more than $100,000 dollars from those groups.

And 47 year old Mathew Mathis who is accused of taking $48,000 from the Hope Volunteer Fire Department.

The exact federal charges were not announced at the Indianapolis press conference.

Former Rock Creek Township Trustee, 50-year-old David Buzzard was also mentioned. He is facing state charges for allegedly overpaying himself and his wife $27,000

They are calling the joint efforts “Operation Public Accountability.” U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said that public officials work for the people, not the other way around.

“When the trust we give them is shattered and public officials line their pockets with taxpayer dollars, they should expect the scrutiny of state and federal law enforcement,” Minkler said. “All citizens deserve better from their public officials and this office intends to hold them accountable.”