Indianapolis GOP City Councilmen Face Marion County Election Board Hearing Over Alleged Fictitious Campaign Finance Payments

Brain Mowery on the left, Paul Anne on the right.

Indianapolis, IN – May 20, 2025 – Two Indianapolis City-County Councilmen, Brian Mowery and Paul Annee, both Republicans, have been summoned to appear before the Marion County Election Board tomorrow, May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM. The hearing, set to take place in the City-County Building’s public assembly room—where the City-County Council typically holds its meetings—centers on allegations of fictitious payments in their campaign finance records. The summons follows scrutiny of their campaign treasurer, Cindy Mowery, who is entangled in a separate legal battle with the Indiana Attorney General over misappropriation of funds from the Marion County Agricultural Fair Association.

Allegations of Fictitious Campaign Payments

The Marion County Election Board’s hearing focuses on claims that Mowery and Annee’s campaign finance reports contain irregularities, specifically fictitious payments that may violate Indiana election laws. While specific details of the alleged payments remain undisclosed pending the hearing, sources indicate the board is investigating whether funds were misreported or misused during their campaigns. Both councilmen listed Cindy Mowery as their campaign treasurer, raising questions about her role in the reported financial discrepancies.

Brian Mowery, representing Franklin Township’s District 23 related to Cindy Mowery and Paul Annee, representing Perry Township’s District 22, have served on the City-County Council since 2017 and 2015, respectively. Their campaigns have been under increasing scrutiny following revelations about Cindy Mowery’s financial activities, which have cast a shadow over their political operations.

Cindy Mowery’s Legal Troubles

Cindy Mowery, a prominent figure in Marion County Republican politics, is at the center of a high-profile lawsuit filed by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita on March 7, 2025. The suit, first reported by the Hoosier Enquirer and later covered by mainstream media outlets, accuses Mowery of misappropriating over $12,000 in public funds from the Marion County Agricultural Fair Association, where she has served as board president since 2018. According to a 2024 Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) investigation, Mowery allegedly used $4,500 of fair association funds to pay for personal home improvements, including painting her house’s siding, staining her deck, and treating a building for mildew. The lawsuit also seeks $7,648 to cover the cost of the SBOA’s special investigation.[](https://www.hoosierenquirer.com/post/indiana-attorney-general-sues-marion-county-fair-board-president-cindy-mowery-over-misappropriation)

The SBOA report detailed a $7,500 check dated November 13, 2021, issued to painters, with $3,000 allocated for work at the fairgrounds and the remaining $4,500 for Mowery’s personal residence. Mowery has denied the allegations, claiming she paid for the home improvements herself, but the painters confirmed they were paid by the fair association’s then-executive director, Jeremy Tevebaugh, not Mowery directly.(https://fox59.com/news/indiana-sboa-marion-county-fair-associations-board-president-misappropriated-funds/)

Mowery’s legal troubles extend beyond the lawsuit. In 2022, Tevebaugh, the fair’s former executive director, faced a forgery charge related to the same check, prompted by his complaints about financial mismanagement. Tevebaugh also filed a counterclaim against the fair association, alleging sexual harassment by Mowery, though those claims were dismissed in 2023.(https://www.inkfreenews.com/2025/04/24/marion-county-fair-board-sued-by-state/)

Political and Community Fallout

The allegations against Cindy Mowery have fueled political fallout within the Marion County Republican Party. A GOP committeeman, Eddie Hager, has called for Mowery’s removal from her party roles, including her position as the Republican appointee to the Marion County Voter Registration Board, citing a loss of public trust. Former Marion County GOP Chair Joe Elsener has acknowledged the controversy, stating the party is reviewing the SBOA report and awaiting further investigations.[](https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2024/03/19/cindy-mowery-accused-of-misusing-marion-county-fair-money/73015506007/)

Mowery’s ties to the fair association, which receives approximately $100,000 annually from the City of Indianapolis, have also drawn scrutiny. In October 2021, Mowery successfully lobbied the City-County Council for an additional $50,000 in funding, claiming it was needed for capital improvements like bathroom renovations. However, the SBOA found no documentation to support the personal expenditures, raising concerns about transparency and oversight.(https://www.hoosierenquirer.com/post/indiana-attorney-general-sues-marion-county-fair-board-president-cindy-mowery-over-misappropriation)

Paul Annee’s connection to the fair association adds another layer of complexity. Since Tevebaugh’s departure in 2022, Annee has served as the fair’s executive director, a role that places him in direct oversight of the organization’s operations. This dual role as a councilman and fair executive has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given the allegations of financial mismanagement under Mowery’s leadership.(https://www.inkfreenews.com/2025/04/24/marion-county-fair-board-sued-by-state/)

What to Expect at the Hearing

Tomorrow’s hearing before the Marion County Election Board is expected to delve into the specifics of the alleged fictitious payments in Mowery and Annee’s campaign finance records. The board, which includes Republican appointee Jennifer Ping, will likely examine financial documentation and hear testimony from the councilmen or their representatives. The outcome could have significant implications for their political careers, potentially leading to fines, sanctions, or further investigations by state authorities.(https://indianapolis.granicus.com/boards/w/f4a1ea9c05a8da69/members)

The hearing also underscores broader concerns about campaign finance oversight in Marion County. With Cindy Mowery’s legal battles intensifying, the board’s findings could prompt calls for stricter accountability measures within the local GOP and the fair association.

Community and Political Implications

The allegations against Mowery and the summons of Mowery and Annee have sparked outrage among community members and neighbors near the fairgrounds, who have long called for an independent audit of the fair association’s finances. Critics argue that the organization’s resistance to external reviews, combined with its ties to prominent Republican figures, suggests favoritism and a lack of transparency.(https://www.hoosierenquirer.com/post/indiana-attorney-general-sues-marion-county-fair-board-president-cindy-mowery-over-misappropriation)

For Brian Mowery and Paul Annee, the hearing represents a critical moment in their tenure on the City-County Council. As they face questions about their campaign finances and their association with Cindy Mowery, the outcome could reshape their political futures and influence the Marion County Republican Party’s standing in the lead-up to future elections.

The hearing is open to the public and will take place at the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St., Indianapolis. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend to gain insight into the proceedings and their implications for local governance. It starts at 1pm EST.