Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a motion Thursday to dismiss the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Committee’s latest complaints against him.
It continues a struggle between the committee and Rokita that started three years ago. In July 2022, Rokita accused OB-GYN Caitlin Bernard of being an "abortion activist acting as a doctor — with a history of failing to report."
Bernard provided a medication abortion for a ten-year old rape victim from Ohio, which made national news.
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed three charges against Rokita in 2023 for his comments. He signed a sworn statement in November that year accepting responsibility for two of the charges that he violated The Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers.
Read more: New disciplinary charges filed against Attorney General Todd Rokita
But within 24 hours, Rokita issued a statement that denied misconduct and doubled-down on his statement about Bernard. The release said he would have fought the charges but wanted to save the taxpayers money.
For that, the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed new complaints against him in January 2025. The complaints allege dishonest behavior to the Supreme Court.
Rokita’s motion to dismiss says the release does not contradict the agreement he signed in 2023. The motion also says the Disciplinary Commission’s complaints attempt to restrain his political speech by interpreting intent from unreleased drafts on the November press release.
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission is appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court. It consists of seven lawyers and two non-lawyers who review complaints made against Indiana attorneys.
The Indiana Supreme Court has the final say in determining if misconduct occurred and on any consequences.
Motion to Dismiss by Indiana Public Media News on Scribd
