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INDIANAPOLIS—
Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday that it's up to a married Republican state lawmaker and his constituents to decide whether he should step down over allegations he offered to pay a young man he met through Craigslist "for a really good time."
Rep. Phillip Hinkle told the Indianapolis Star he doesn't deny he sent emails to Kameryn Gibson that were provided to the paper by Gibson's sister. He told the paper he was "aware of a shakedown taking place," without elaborating. His attorney, Peter Nugent, said he didn't know what Hinkle meant by that.
Nugent told The Associated Press on Friday that Hinkle would not comment on the allegations and that a private investigation is being conducted.
"What I do not want to do right now is make a premature statement," Nugent said. Gibson didn't respond to an email seeking comment.
According to the Star, the emails suggest Hinkle responded to a Craigslist ad Gibson posted Saturday in the "m4m," or men for men, section, in which Gibson purported to be 18 years old and wrote, "I need a sugga daddy." Gibson told the Star he's actually 20.
Emailing back-and-forth, Hinkle allegedly offered to pay Gibson up to $140 "for a really good time," and arranged to meet him at an upscale Indianapolis hotel Saturday night.
Gibson told the paper that when he and Hinkle were talking in a hotel room, he got cold feet after Hinkle mentioned he was a lawmaker. He said he tried to leave but Hinkle resisted, grabbing his rear end and exposing himself. He said no sexual activity took place and that he was eventually able to leave with the help of his sister, who came to get him after he called her from the bathroom.
Hinkle, who is married and represents sections of Pike and Wayne townships, voted this year in favor of a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as being only between one man and one woman.
Nobody has sought charges against Hinkle or Gibson and the Marion County Prosecutor's office has no immediate plans to seek charges, said Brienne Delaney, communications director for the prosecutor's office. Indiana law broadly defines prostitution as any sexual contact or planned sexual contact in exchange for any amount of money or personal property.
Daniels said he is saddened by the news, and that it's up to Hinkle and those he represents to determine whether he should step aside.
"It's not for me to say. It's between him and his constituents. It's just a personal, a family tragedy, and I'm sad about that," Daniels said.
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma also called it "sad and disappointing," and said he'll discuss the events with Hinkle.
"The key now is to do the right thing, and that's what I would encourage those who know the facts and have influence over them to do," said Indiana Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb in a statement.
Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday that it's up to a married Republican state lawmaker and his constituents to decide whether he should step down over allegations he offered to pay a young man he met through Craigslist "for a really good time."
Rep. Phillip Hinkle told the Indianapolis Star he doesn't deny he sent emails to Kameryn Gibson that were provided to the paper by Gibson's sister. He told the paper he was "aware of a shakedown taking place," without elaborating. His attorney, Peter Nugent, said he didn't know what Hinkle meant by that.
Nugent told The Associated Press on Friday that Hinkle would not comment on the allegations and that a private investigation is being conducted.
"What I do not want to do right now is make a premature statement," Nugent said. Gibson didn't respond to an email seeking comment.
According to the Star, the emails suggest Hinkle responded to a Craigslist ad Gibson posted Saturday in the "m4m," or men for men, section, in which Gibson purported to be 18 years old and wrote, "I need a sugga daddy." Gibson told the Star he's actually 20.
Emailing back-and-forth, Hinkle allegedly offered to pay Gibson up to $140 "for a really good time," and arranged to meet him at an upscale Indianapolis hotel Saturday night.
Gibson told the paper that when he and Hinkle were talking in a hotel room, he got cold feet after Hinkle mentioned he was a lawmaker. He said he tried to leave but Hinkle resisted, grabbing his rear end and exposing himself. He said no sexual activity took place and that he was eventually able to leave with the help of his sister, who came to get him after he called her from the bathroom.
Hinkle, who is married and represents sections of Pike and Wayne townships, voted this year in favor of a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as being only between one man and one woman.
Nobody has sought charges against Hinkle or Gibson and the Marion County Prosecutor's office has no immediate plans to seek charges, said Brienne Delaney, communications director for the prosecutor's office. Indiana law broadly defines prostitution as any sexual contact or planned sexual contact in exchange for any amount of money or personal property.
Daniels said he is saddened by the news, and that it's up to Hinkle and those he represents to determine whether he should step aside.
"It's not for me to say. It's between him and his constituents. It's just a personal, a family tragedy, and I'm sad about that," Daniels said.
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma also called it "sad and disappointing," and said he'll discuss the events with Hinkle.
"The key now is to do the right thing, and that's what I would encourage those who know the facts and have influence over them to do," said Indiana Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb in a statement.
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