Spears' Statement of Economic Interest Missing Work For Colts

The Star's Brendan O'Shaughnessy reported last November that IMPD Chief Michael Spears works security part-time for the Indianapolis Colts' organization. Yet, his 2006 statement of economic interest signed by Spears on March 10, 2007 makes no disclosure of the part-time job. The form asks Spears to respond to this question: "Have you received any compensation from any business entity, which to the best of your knowlege, is doing or contemplates doing business with an agency of the city of Indianapolis or Marion County during your term of office or employment with an agency of the City of Indianapolis or Marion County?" Spears responded to the question by putting a checkmark in a box next to the word "No". Spears also lists IMPD as his only employer.

The Colts in fact have a lease with the Capital Improvement Board of Managers for the use of the RCA Dome and have a new lease agreement with the agency for Lucas Oil Stadium, which the Colts will move into next year. Mayor Peterson defended Spears' part-time work in O'Shaughnessy's article. O'Shaughnessy wrote on November 24, 2006:

Police experts said moonlighting is common for officers but rare for a police chief because it could put the person who most represents public safety in a city in a compromising position.

If, for example, a player were to get into trouble with the law, it could appear as if the team was paying the chief to win special treatment, experts said.

Spears said he doesn't think his outside employment, which is done on his own time, poses a conflict of interest, and he rejected any notion that it could lead to preferential treatment for a Colts player.He said he has worked at Colts games since 2000, though he does not expect to continue doing so after he becomes chief of the merged city and county department next year.

"My first responsibility is to the Indianapolis Police Department and always has been and always will be," said Spears, a 25-year veteran. "Should anybody conduct themselves in a way that is illegal, nothing will be swept under the carpet. I pride myself on my integrity.

"Mayor Bart Peterson and Public Safety Director Earl Morgan said they didn't see any problem with Spears or other top officers following guidelines for outside employment.

Peterson said he has confidence in Spears' judgment and integrity.

"It's the same opportunity available to every other officer," Peterson said. "The key point is that he does it on his own time."

It's simply inexcusable that Spears wouldn't disclose his relationship with the Colts. Perhaps he subsequently terminated his relationship with the Colts, but the statement of economic interest covered the 2006 calendar year. Or perhaps he doesn't think he needs to disclose it because the actual security contract is with a separate company that independently employs him for the security work. In either case, the spirit of the disclosure law dictates he disclose the relationship.

The IndyGov website is once again posting the economic interest statements of city and county officials after a several year hiatus and after a number of complaints, including one from this blog. There's an interesting disclosure by Councilor Lonnell Conley (D). "I am contemplating through my Production and Promotion Company Inc. to produce a "Blues and Family Fiesta" during summer celebrations co-sponsored by IBE and the City of Indianapolis." Councilor Jackie Nytes (D) discloses that her husband's printing business, Printing Partners, has printing contracts with the city and the county. She also discloses she was employed as a construction manager for her husband's business through December, 2006 on an addition and renovation project for the business. Councilor Ryan Vaughn (R) discloses a long list of clients of the law firm where he is employed, Tabbert Hahn, which also do business with the city or county. The firm also serves as counsel to the library board.