Sandra Chapman/13 Investigates
Indianapolis - Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White faces seven felony counts, including fraud. But 13 Investigates has learned the investigation may not yet be over for the state official who is being urged to resign.
A two-page Hamilton County Special Grand Jury report offers more insight into the seven-felony-count indictment against White.
In a 6-0 vote, jurors spent three days hearing testimony against the 41-year-old.
White is accused of fraud and lying when he sent a change of address claiming residency on Broad Leaf lane. Investigators say he was actually living on Overview Drive when he voted out of precinct last May and collected pay for a Council District he no longer lived in.
Now 13 Investigates learns the grand jury might not be done with White.
Special prosecutors decided not to seek a misdemeanor charge against him for sending campaign materials without required endorsements, but did advise the court that the same grand jury had "additional matters to consider" over the next three months involving White's case.
One of those prosecutors, Dan Sigler, refused to say if additional evidence surfaced requiring an expanded investigation.
Meanwhile, the call for White to step down echoed across the state.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has said White should step aside until a verdict is reached.
"There was a lot better way to handle this. The accounts are accurate that I suggested that maybe he postpone taking the oath, see if he could exonerate himself or see how this cloud cleared up. As I said yesterday, now that proceedings have moved forward I think it'd be a whole lot better to have someone else in the job until we know a final outcome," said Daniels, speaking to Eyewitness News on Friday.
"Charlie should at least step aside temporarily until these charges are ajudicated," said White's predecessor, Congressman Todd Rokita, who says White has lost credibility.
Rokita served as the Chairman of the Indiana Recount Commission when Democrats first filed a complaint of voter fraud against White last year. At that time Rokita sided with White, overriding the complaint 2-1.
"The Recount Commission is an administrative body and it's not equipped, nor should it be, to deal with criminal charges," Rokita said in response to his previous stance.
Vop Osili, who lost the November election and the challenge to Charlie White's candidacy, issued this statement:
"This is an unfortunate circumstance for the State of Indiana and the family of Charlie White. I am disappointed that the actions of Charlie White reflect badly upon our state and undermine voter trust in the office of the Secretary of State. It is now in the hands of the courts to protect the integrity of the electoral process."
A lawsuit filed by the Democratic Party is pending. White is expected to have an initial hearing in coming days.
In the meantime, White says he will continue his duties.
