Marion County Election Board Director Kate Sweeney Bell Faces Multiple Lawsuits Alleging Cover-Up of Election Violations

Kate Sweeney Bell being interviewed by the media.

Indianapolis, IN – Kate Sweeney Bell, Director of the Marion County Election Board, is facing mounting legal challenges as pro se plaintiffs Jeremiah Tevebaugh and David W. Waters have filed a series of lawsuits accusing the Board of neglecting its statutory duties to investigate serious election law violations. The lawsuits, filed between June 4 and June 12, 2025, in Marion Superior Court (Case No. 49D06-2506-CT-026385 and others), allege a pattern of inaction on complaints involving campaign finance fraud, voter intimidation, and defective reporting, potentially to shield politically connected individuals. The plaintiffs seek writs of mandamus to compel the Board to hold public hearings, conduct formal investigations, and refer violations to the attorney general or prosecutor.

Tevebaugh’s Allegations: Campaign Finance Fraud

Jeremiah Tevebaugh’s lawsuit, filed on June 4, 2025, targets alleged campaign finance violations by Councilor Paul Annee and Brian Mowery. Tevebaugh claims that in December 2021, Annee deposited funds from a joint fundraiser with Mowery into a personal account after his campaign account was closed due to overdrafting, violating IC 3-14-1-13 (a Level 6 felony for filing fraudulent campaign finance reports) and IC 3-14-1-11 (a Class B misdemeanor for accepting contributions in another’s name). Evidence includes an email from Bob Elrod, treasurer of the Franklin Township GOP Club, stating that fundraiser proceeds were deposited into the club’s account without authorization and later distributed to Annee and Mowery. The club’s failure to itemize these contributions on its CFA-4 report is cited as further proof of fraud.

Tevebaugh filed a sworn complaint with the Election Board on August 10, 2022, which was acknowledged by then-Deputy Director Brent Stinson and Director of Elections Brienne Delaney. However, a January 17, 2024, letter from then-Director Patrick Becker stated that the Board accepted amended reports from Annee without a public hearing or referral to the prosecuting attorney, as required by IC 3-14-5-3. Tevebaugh argues this inaction reflects a deliberate failure to enforce election laws.

Waters’ Allegations: Voter Intimidation and Campaign Finance Violations

David W. Waters, joining Tevebaugh as a pro se plaintiff, filed multiple petitions for writs of mandamus between June 8 and June 12, 2025, addressing distinct election violations:

1. Voter Intimidation (June 8, 2025 Petition): Waters, a former candidate for State Representative in District 90, alleges that on May 7, 2024, at a vote center at Indian Creek Christian Church (6430 S Franklin Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46259), a uniformed IMPD officer, Christopher Kibbey (Badge C9), interrupted his campaign activities at the direction of a lawyer associated with the Election Board. The officer’s actions, which Waters says intimidated voters and disrupted his campaign, violated IC 3-14-3-21.5 (a Level 6 felony for voter intimidation) and IC 3-14-1-6 (a Class A misdemeanor for unauthorized election-related actions by a police officer). Waters filed complaints on May 17, 2024, and June 4, 2025, but received no response from the Board, prompting his lawsuit to demand a public hearing and investigation.

2. Friends of Natalie Goodwin Campaign Committee (June 9, 2025 Petition): Waters alleges that on February 18, 2025, the Friends of Natalie Goodwin campaign committee improperly disbursed $9,672 in surplus funds to the Marion County Leadership Committee (502 Monroe St, Newport, KY 41071), which he claims lacks documentation to meet the organizational criteria under IC 3-9-3-4 and IC 3-9-1-12. This violation, cited as a Class A infraction under IC 3-14-1-16, was reported in a sworn complaint on February 28, 2025, acknowledged by Deputy Director Brent Stinson, but not addressed by the Board. Waters also claims the committee failed to account for approximately $52,000 between its 2023 and 2024 CFA-4 reports, alleging fraud (a Level 6 felony under IC 3-9-5).

3. Abdul4Indy Campaign Committee (June 10, 2025 Petition): Waters accuses the Abdul4Indy committee, led by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, of multiple violations, including filing a defective 2023 CFA-4 report, failing to file a 2024 CFA-4 report (a Class B misdemeanor under IC 3-14-1-14), and improperly disbursing surplus funds to Nicky Blaine’s Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, a personal expenditure violating IC 3-9-1-12 and IC 3-9-3-4 (a Class A infraction under IC 3-14-1-16). The committee’s failure to file a final report under IC 3-9-5-11 is also cited. Waters’ February 28, 2025, complaint was acknowledged by Stinson, and on April 18, 2025, Director Patrick Becker notified Waters that the issue was attributed to a “scrivener’s error” and that an amended report was expected. However, Waters claims the committee remains non-compliant, and the Board failed to hold a public hearing or refer the matter for prosecution.

4. Public Access to Defective Reports (June 12, 2025 Petition): Waters alleges the Board violated IC 3-9-4-14 and IC 5-14-1.5 by failing to make public documents reflecting defective campaign finance filings, such as those of the Friends of Natalie Goodwin committee. On February 7, 2025, Waters filed a complaint, receiving a response from Stinson indicating that Goodwin’s report was flagged as incomplete and a courtesy notice was sent on January 28, 2025. However, Waters found no evidence of public disclosure of these actions, arguing that the Board’s failure to conduct official business openly constitutes bad faith.

Legal Demands and Implications

Both Tevebaugh and Waters, representing themselves pro se, seek writs of mandamus to compel the Marion County Election Board to:

• Hold public hearings on their complaints.

• Conduct formal investigations into the alleged violations.

• Refer violations to the attorney general or prosecutor as required by IC 3-14-5-3.

• Award damages for legal fees incurred due to the Board’s alleged bad faith.

The lawsuits collectively paint a picture of systemic failure by the Election Board, under Kate Sweeney Bell’s leadership, to uphold election laws. Critics argue that the Board’s pattern of accepting amended reports without investigation or public hearings suggests a lack of transparency and potential favoritism toward politically connected individuals. If the courts grant the writs, the Board could face increased scrutiny, and criminal investigations into the alleged violations may follow, potentially reshaping election oversight in Marion County.

Challenges and Next Steps

Tevebaugh and Waters’ detailed complaints, supported by emails, CFA-4 reports, and statutory references, have drawn attention to the Board’s handling of election complaints. The cases, filed between June 4 and June 12, 2025, are pending in Marion Superior Court, with Waters’ petitions served via certified mail. The court will determine whether the Board’s inaction violates its statutory duties and whether mandamus relief is warranted.

As these cases progress, they highlight critical questions about the integrity of election administration in Marion County. Residents and election watchdogs are closely monitoring the outcome, which could lead to reforms ensuring greater accountability and compliance with Indiana election law.