Indiana Attorney General Sues Marion County Fair Board President Cindy Mowery Over Misappropriation of Public Funds

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita talking at a Rally at the State Capitol.

By Kelly Roberts, Hoosier Enquirer - Indianapolis, IN – April 17, 2025

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has launched a civil lawsuit against Cindy Mowery, President of the Marion County Agricultural Fair Association Board, alleging she misappropriated taxpayer funds for personal home improvements. Filed on March 7, 2025, in Marion County Superior Court, the suit seeks to recover over $12,000 in public funds, plus penalties and audit costs. The case follows a 2024 investigation by the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA), which revealed evidence of financial misconduct during Mowery’s tenure.

SBOA Investigation Uncovers Misuse of Funds

The SBOA’s Special Investigation Report 82886I, covering January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, detailed Mowery’s alleged misuse of $4,500 in Fair Association funds. As board president since 2018, Mowery is accused of authorizing a $7,500 check, dated November 13, 2021, to local painters. While $3,000 of the payment covered painting a lodge on the fairgrounds, the remaining $4,500 funded work at Mowery’s personal residence, including staining her deck, painting her house’s siding, and treating a nearby building for mildew.

The Fair Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, relies on City of Indianapolis funding—typically $100,000 annually—for operations and capital projects. In October 2021, Mowery and another board member secured an additional $50,000, increasing the 2022 allocation to $150,000. Mowery told city-county councilors the funds would support improvements like bathroom renovations, but the SBOA found no documentation to justify the personal expenditures.

Interviews with the painters confirmed they were paid by the Fair Association’s executive director, not Mowery directly. When confronted, Mowery did not dispute the work done at her home but has since claimed she paid for it personally.

Rokita’s Lawsuit: Seeking Accountability

The Attorney General’s complaint, filed under Indiana Code provisions for recovering public funds, charges Mowery with malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance. It alleges she violated her fiduciary duties by diverting public funds for personal gain, failing to maintain proper financial records, and breaching state guidelines for government-funded entities.

The lawsuit includes three counts:

1. Malfeasance, Misfeasance, and/or Nonfeasance: The state seeks $4,500 for the misappropriated funds and $7,648.67 for SBOA audit costs, totaling $12,148.67.

2. Unjust Enrichment: Mowery is accused of benefiting from services paid with public funds, with the state demanding repayment of $4,500.

3. Policy Liability: Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, the Fair Association’s insurer, is named as jointly liable for the $12,148.67 under a directors and officers policy.

Rokita’s office argues that Mowery’s actions undermined public trust and harmed the Fair Association, emphasizing the need to recover taxpayer dollars and deter future misconduct.

Mowery’s Response and Political Backlash

Mowery, a longtime Marion County Republican figure, has denied wrongdoing through her attorney, Jim Voyles. She claims she paid for the home improvements with personal cash handed to then-executive director Jeremy Tevebaugh, though she lacks precise records. In a February 2024 email to the SBOA, Mowery contested the findings and requested a re-review, but no changes were made.

The allegations have fueled political fallout. A Marion County GOP committeeman demanded Mowery’s removal as party treasurer and from the Voter Registration Board, citing eroded public confidence. County party chair Joe Elsener acknowledged the controversy, hinting at further inquiries.

Mowery’s leadership has faced prior scrutiny. In 2022, Tevebaugh, who triggered the SBOA probe, sued the Fair Association for wrongful termination and alleged harassment by Mowery, though those claims were later withdrawn. A 2021 fundraising event tied to Mowery also raised campaign finance concerns, compounding questions about her conduct.

Broader Implications for the Fair Association

The lawsuit has spotlighted the Fair Association’s financial oversight, with community members and neighbors calling for an independent audit. The organization’s resistance to external reviews, coupled with its ties to local Republican figures like City-County Councilor Paul Annee—now the executive director—has raised concerns about transparency and favoritism.

While no criminal charges have been filed, the SBOA report was sent to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for evaluation. The civil case could set a precedent for holding nonprofit leaders accountable for managing public funds. Heather Crockett, chief of asset recovery for the Attorney General’s office, stressed the state’s commitment to pursuing restitution.

What’s Next?

As the case unfolds, it will likely intensify scrutiny of the Fair Association’s governance and the stewardship of taxpayer dollars. A ruling against Mowery could impact her political standing and prompt reforms in how Indiana’s nonprofits handle public funds. For now, Rokita’s lawsuit signals a robust push for accountability in the state’s public and nonprofit sectors.

For further details, contact the Indiana Attorney General’s Office at (317) 522-9811 or visit www.in.gov/attorneygeneral.